Differential Equations: Math 308
Spring 2009, TR 8:00-9:15
Tuesday O&M 110, Thursday BLOC 128
Announcements
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The final exam has been graded, and the results, as well as the course grades, have been posted on eLearning.
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If you would like to work as Calclab help session staff for Math 308 next semester, fill out the
application.
The homework assignment due April 30, and the optional Matlab assignment, are posted.
The diary from April 9 is posted.
Links
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First day handout.
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Suggested homework problems. You are not required to do all these problems, but they are an excellent resource if you need extra practice besides the assigned homework.
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Math 308 help sessions Mondays - Thursdays 7:00-9:30 p.m. in Blocker 111.
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MATLAB help: Math department computer help, Sunday 1:00-10:00 pm and Monday-Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm in Blocker 128 (overflow: Blocker 127). Math 151-152 MATLAB help, same times, Blocker 131
- Calclab information, in particular about printing in the labs.
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Where to use MATLAB:
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You can work in calclabs in Blocker during the times above.
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MATLAB is available on PCs in TAMU OALs. To transfer files between calclab1.math.tamu.edu and your OAL PC H: home drive, invoke WinSCP on an OAL PC.
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Download for free from Nomachine a client that will allow you to work directly on calclab1.math.tamu.edu over the internet using the GUI interface. There are versions Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OSX 10.3/4/5, and various distributions of linux (Suse 10.3/Fedora 10). The configuration is straightforward: Login and Password are those that you use on calclab1. Session is calclab1. Host is calclab1.math.tamu.edu. Desktop is unix KDE. Speed is ADSL. Display can be set to Available area.
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If you prefer (you are not required to), you can purchase a copy of MATLAB from the the TAMU Bookstore in the MSC or online.
Professor: Michael Anshelevich, 326 Milner.
Office hours: TWR 11-12, or by appointment.
Text: Nagle, Saff, and Snider, Fundamentals of Differential Equations & Boundary Value Problems, Pearson, ISBN 0536460434, and Polking, Ordinary Differential Equations using MATLAB, 3rd edition, Pearson, ISBN 0131456792.
Prerequisites: MATH 251 or equivalent; knowledge of computer algebra system. In other words, vector calculus, calculus of several variables, multiple differentiation and integration. Later in the course, we will have a quick review of matrix algebra.
Course outline:
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General properties of differential equations (Chapter 1).
Direction fields.
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Exact methods and formulas: first order, and second order linear, differential equations (Chapters 2, 4).
Separable and linear first-order equations.
Homogeneous linear equations with constant coefficients.
Method of undetermined coefficients and variation of parameters.
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Numerical methods (Chapters 1, 3).
Euler's method and its improvements; time permitting, Runge-Kutta method.
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Mathematical models and applications (Chapters 3, 4, 5).
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Laplace transforms (Chapter 7).
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Linear systems: elimination method and matrix methods (Chapters 5, 9).
MATLAB will be used in the course for numerical computations and to illustrate the concepts.
Exams: We will have two in-class tests on Tuesdays, February 17 and March 31. The final exam is on Monday, May 11, 1:00-3:00 p.m. If, under completely exceptional circumstances, you need to miss one of the tests, a make-up exam will be given. Only University-approved excuses will be accepted, and you have to let me know preferably in advance, and no later than 2 days after the exam. The exams are closed book, closed notes, and calculators are not permitted. You should bring your ID to all tests.
Homework: weekly, due on Thursdays in class. Assignments will involve problems from the textbook, as well as MATLAB calculations. Homework problems may appear on exams and quizzes. You are encouraged to work together, but straight copying of homework is not allowed. Late homework will not be accepted, but the lowest homework score will be dropped.
Quizzes: There will be short quizzes in class, announced in advance. The lowest score will be dropped.
Grading: Homework and quizzes 30%, each midterm test 20%, final 30%. A total score of 90% or more guarantees an A, a score of 80% or more a B, 70% or more a C, 60% or more a D.
Scholastic Dishonesty:
Cheating of any form is not acceptable and it will be dealt with harshly. In particular, copying work done by others, either in-class or out of class, is an act of scholastic dishonesty and it will be prosecuted to the full extent allowed by university policy. Collaboration on assignments is permitted for this course, however each student must write up their own solutions. For more information on university policies regarding scholastic dishonesty, see the University Student Rules.
Aggie Honor Code: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."
Other important dates: January 26 (last day to add or drop a course), March 16-20 (spring break), April 6 (last day for a Q-drop).
Students with disabilities: Come talk to me no later than the first week of classes. "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."
Attendance: According to the University Student Rules, absence for three or more class days requires a University-approved excuse and documentation.
Keys to success: Attend class (of course :) Solve all the homework problems, well before the exams. Spend more than seven hours per week working on the problems. Form study groups to discuss the course material and homework problems. Read ahead in the text.
All printed handouts and web-materials are protected by US Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made without written permission by the instructor.