Introduction to Differential Equations

Ma341-002 Summer I 2008

When ? Where ?
MTWTHF 9:50-11:20am HA 368

 

Prerequisites : You must have completed MA 242 (or its equivalent somewhere) with grade of C or better to take this class. The reason for this is simple, we will differentiate, integrate and on occasion take a partial derivative or two.

Overview : Differential equations arise naturally in innumerable applications. In the this course we will learn a variety of methods to solve ordinary differential equations(ODEs) and systems of ODEs. In the course of this task we will be intiated to some introductory linear algebra which will prove to be a unifying and clarifying langauge to aid discussion of certain difficult issues.

Course Essentials :
  • Lecture Notes posted online. Cost to you - zero dollars modulo printing.
  • Required Text is: Fundamentals of Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 4th edition, by Nagle, Saff and Snider, Pearson, 2004.
  • No calculator is required for this course. I will allow calculators during tests, but only to check work. I recommend the TI-89.


  • Information about your instructor :
    Instructor: James Cook
    Office: Hillsborough Building 201 (don't go there - I'm not there usually)
    "Office" Hours: (after class as needed)
    Email: testbetter@yahoo.com

    Grading :
    5% Project (due June 16 at beginning of class)
    10% Homework (will collect selected problems three times)
    60% Tests (there will be 3 tests, lowest can be replaced with final exam grade, if helpful)
    25% Final Exam (notice that the final is actually worth 45% if you bomb some test)

    Letter Grades will follow:
    98+ --->A+ (note a 97.99 is still an A)
    93-97--->A
    90-92--->A-
    87-89--->B+
    83-86--->B
    80-82--->B-
    77-79--->C+
    73-76--->C
    70-72--->C-
    67-69--->D+
    63-66--->D
    60-62--->D-
    <59 --->F

    Credit Only will be graded "U" if your grade is lower than 60, and "S" otherwise.

    Attendance :
    Attendance is suggested but not required. If you are trying to do poorly I recommend never coming to class, it's one of the best ways to fail. Also, ignore the homework and don't try to think out the lecture examples for yourself. I am not going to force you to come to lecture, but not coming to lecture is just making extra work for yourself. My notes are pretty close to the content of lecture, however I do add examples at times and give hints and advices about what's on the tests and what's not. If you aren't at class then how will you know the hints ?

    Absences & Excused Tests : IF YOU HAVE A UNIVERSITY APPROVED ABSENCE, then you may make up a test on the final exam. Attendance for tests is required, please note the test dates and plan accordingly:

  • Test I : May 28 (n-th order ODEs)
  • Test II : June 10 (systems of ODEs)
  • Test III : June 20 (Laplace Transforms)
  • Final Exam : June 24 (Tuesday), 8am-11am (in usual room) (comprehensive)

  • Required Homeworks are due on the following dates,
  • Homeork I : May 23
  • Homeork II : June 6
  • Homeork III : June 18

  • Disabilities : If you have any special needs, please contact me as early as possible to make arrangements.
    Please do not wait until the test. It's your responsibility to tell me now so I can help you. Thanks.
    "Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accomodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.1)"

    Disclaimer : While I have attempted to completely specify the content of this course, I reserve the right to change this syllabus if necessary.

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