Instructor: Dr. Francis J. Narcowich, Professor of Mathematics

Office: 302 Milner Hall

E-mail: fnarc@math.tamu.edu

Phone: (979) 845-7369

URL: /~francis.narcowich/

Office Hours: MWF 11:20-12:20, and by appointment.

Catalogue Description: MATH 308. Differential Equations. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II S. Ordinary differential equations, solutions in series, solutions using Laplace transforms, systems of differential equations. Prerequisites: MATH 251 or equivalent; knowledge of computer algebra system.

Time & Place: Section 503: MWF 10:20-11:10, BLOC 128

Required Text: James R. Brannan and William E. Boyce, Differential Equations: An Introduction to Modern Methods and Applications , 1st ed., John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2007.

Supplementary Materials:

• Schaum's Outline to Differential Equations, 3rd ed., by Richard Bronson and Gabriel Costa
• Notes on Diffy Qs: Differential Equations for Engineers, by Jiri Lebls. This is a free, on-line book.
• Differential equation books from Dover publications. These are affordable reprints of older, but still very useful, texts.
• Matlab tutorials. This is a list of tutorials that are online and that can be used to help with Matlab.
• Ordinary Differential Equations using MatLab, 3rd ed, by John C. Polking. Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004.
  The Matlab software dfield and pplane, which is for use with Polking's book, is free. The software doesn't require the book itself.
• For more materials on ODEs and related topics, search the web. It's a great resource.

Tests

Test 1: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Test 2: Friday, March 25, 2011

Test 3: Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Final Examination: 8-10 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Syllabus: The course covers all or part of Chapters 1-6 and Appendices A and B in the Brannan/Boyce book. For the computer component of the course, we will use Matlab. For a schedule, which may change due to contingencies and unforseen circumstances, see the table below.

Grading System: Your grade will be based on three in-class tests, homework, and a final examination. Each in-class test will count for 20% of your grade; the homework & quizzes, for 15%; and the final examination will count for the remaining 25%. Your letter grade will be assigned this way: 90-100%, A; 80-89%, B; 70-79%, C; 60-69%, D; 59% or less, F.

Homework and Quizzes: Homework will be collected about once a week. Occasionally, quizzes may be given. You may discuss homework problems with each other. However, all submitted work must be your own. Submitting the work of others is cheating. Late homework will not be accepted.

Make-up Policy: I will give make-ups (or satisfactory equivalents) only in cases authorized under TAMU Regulations. In borderline cases, I will decide whether or not the excuse is authorized. Also, if you miss a test, quiz, or cannot turn in a homework, contact me at fnarc@math.tamu.edu soon as possible. Normally, this is the next business day, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Academic Integrity

Copying Course Materials:   "All printed hand-outs and web-materials are protected by US Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made without written permission by the instructor."

Aggie Honor Code:   "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."

Americans with Disabilities Act Policy Statement: "The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Room 126 of the Koldus Building or call 845-1637."

Schedule

Updated: January 15, 2011 (fjn)