Differential Equations, Math 2280, Spring 2008

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:  Dr. Seth Armstrong, ELC 402, cell number 590-4516 (the self-named Math Hotline), email armstrong@suu.edu.  Please relay information to me by email or cell if possible.  I do not check voice mail on the office phone very frequently.  There will often be things posted on my web page at www.suu.edu/faculty/armstrong like this syllabus, Mathematica notebooks, and previous exams.

 

Meeting times and Office hours: We will meet T&Th, 11:30-12:50 in SC 230.  Consultation in my office is 2:30-3:30 daily.  Please try to make your visits during these times.  If my office hour is not possible for you to make I will be happy to schedule another appointment.  There is also a tutoring lab in the Smith Center that you are allowed to use.

 

Prerequisite: Calculus II (Math 1220) and Linear Algebra (Math 2270), though the latter may be a co-requisite with permission. 

Text: Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 8th ed., by Boyce and DiPrima

Course Fee: The course fee is to cover graders as well as periodic updates of math software such as Mathematica.

Catalog Entry (Poor): Linear and nonlinear differential equations and linear systems of equations with applications; emphasizes understanding of the solution as well as the techniques used.  (I would add Direction fields, methods of solving first order equations, applications including computers, linear higher-order equations and applications, Laplace transforms and solutions to systems of first-order equations.)

Policies and Procedures:

1.       Attendance is required.  I will be unwilling to go through material that you miss without excuse.  You may drop your lowest test score (see #3) if you have two or fewer unexcused absences. 

2.       Complete each homework (HW) assignment the day it’s listed if your schedule allows.  This will facilitate understanding of the next day’s lecture.  You should do your HW as independently as possible.  That is, do all you can first on a problem before seeking outside help.  This is because the best way to learn difficult material is to struggle through problems on your own.  HW from the previous week’s material will be collected each Tuesday.  It may be handed in any time up until 2:00, either in class or under my office door.  It should be neat with the problems done in order and it should show complete work to receive credit.  Because you have a few-day interval between the last HW assignment and handing it in, I will not give any time extension on the HW unless you’ve been gone/sick with excused absence for the previous week.  Late unexcused HW will not be accepted.

3.       There will be a short (25 minute, 50 point) mini-test every other Thursday (more or less) that will be over material covered up to and including the previous Tuesday’s lecture.  Only six of seven scores will count toward your grade if you have missed two or fewer days without valid excuse.  If you know you will be absent for a mini-test, arrangements for a makeup must be made beforehand: Please send me an email describing the situation and times that you could make it up.  If a last-minute emergency arises, you must contact me as soon as possible to arrange a makeup mini-test.  Sleeping through an alarm, a busy week, an appointment with a doctor or dentist (unless you’re sick) are not legitimate excuses to reschedule a test.

4.       Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. HW plagiarism (copying from a solutions manual or someone elses HW) will result in a zero on any assignment.  Even if you share methods and ideas in a group setting, the work that you hand in should be entirely yours.

5.       Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustment, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Support Center, room 205D, Sharwan Smith Center, 865-8022.  The Disability Support Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services and aids.

6.       Grading The total will be 500 or 550 points, including 50 total from HW, 300 or 350 from the mini-tests (see #3), and 150 from the final exam.  The grading scale will be the following.  Please note that I will not raise a grade because of need; it is up to you to get the grade you want.

 

A

92

 

B

81

 

C

71

 

D

62

A-

88

 

B-

78

 

C-

69

 

D-

60

B+

86

 

C+

76

 

D+

67

 

F

0

 

Homework Assignments

 

Date

Section(s)

Homework Assignment

 Jan. 8

1.1

Integration Review; Handout; 1.1: 1,3,5

10

1.1, 2.1

1.1: 11,13,15,17,19; 2.1: 1(c)-9(c) odd,13-19

15

2.2

1-15 odd,31-33(a,b all),36

17

2.3

2-5,7,16

22

2.4

2.4: 1,3,5,28-30; Review for Mini-Test 1

24

2.5

Mini-Test 1 (Intro – 2.4a);  2.5: 1,3,5,8-10

29

2.5, 2.6

2.5: 13,26(a,b); 2.6: 1-11 odd,

31

2.6, 2.7

2.6: 25-28; 2.7: 1,3(for part d, only do for t = 0.4)

Feb. 5

3.1

3.1: 5-17 odd,20,21; Review for Mini-Test 2

7

3.2

Mini-Test 2 (2.4b – 3.1a); 3.2: 1,3,5,7

12

3.2, 3.3

3.2: 11,13,21,23,24; 3.3: 1-6

14

3.3, 3.4

3.3: 15-17,21; 3.4: 7-15 odd

19

3.4, 3.5

3.4: 17-23 odd,27; 3.5: 1,3,5; Review for Mini-Test 3

21

3.5

Mini-Test 3 (3.1b – 3.4);  3.5: 7-13 odd,23-26

26

3.6

1-11 odd

28

3.6, 3.7

3.6: 13-19 odd,23; 3.7: 1-9 odd

Mar. 4

3.7, 3.8

3.7: 13,15,17; 3.8: 1,3,5,7,12; Review for Mini-Test 4

6

3.8

Mini-Test 4 (3.5 – 3.8a); 3.8: 5,7,12

11

6.1

1,3,5-7,9,11

13

6.1, 6.2

6.1: 15,17,21-23; 6.2: 1-9 odd,11-14

17-21

 

Spring Recess

25

6.2, 6.3

6.2: 15,16,21; 6.3: 1-3; Review for Mini-Test 5

27

6.3

Mini-Test 5 (3.8b – 6.3a); 6.3: 7-17 odd

Apr. 1

6.4

1-11 odd

3

6.5, 7.1

6.5: 1,3,5,7; 7.1: 1,3,5,7

8

7.2, 7.3

7.2: 1,3,5,10; 7.3: 15-17,22; Review for Mini-Test 6

10

7.5

Mini-Test 6 (6.3b – 7.2a); 7.5: 1,3,5,7,11

15

7.5, 7.6

7.5: 13,15,16; 7.6: 1-5,9,10

17

7.8

1,3,7-10

22

7.9

1,3; Review for Mini-Test 7

24

 

Mini-Test 7 (7.2b – 7.9); Review for Final Exam

 

Tuesday, April 29

1:00 – 2:50 p.m.

Final Exam in Class