This book contains detailed lecture notes on four topics at the
forefront of current research in computational mathematics. Each set of
notes presents a self-contained guide to a current research area and has
an extensive bibliography. In addition, most of the notes contain
detailed proofs of the key results. The notes start from a level
suitable for first year graduate students in applied mathematics,
mathematical analysis or numerical analysis, and proceed to current
research topics. The reader should therefore be able to gain quickly an
insight into the important results and techniques in each area without
recourse to the large research literature. Current (unsolved) problems
are also described and directions for future research are given. This
book is also suitable for professional mathematicians who require a
succint and accurate account of recent research in areas parallel to
their own, and graduates in mathematical sciences.