Syllabus for Math 308

Differential Equations

Fall 2009

Sections 505 and 513

Instructor: Volodymyr Nekrashevych

Office: Milner 223

Office hours: Tuesday 11:00-12:00 and Wednesday 2:00-3:00 PM or by appointment.

nekrash "at" math "dot" tamu "dot" edu

Home-page: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~nekrash

Telephone:  (979) 845 24 50

Class hours:

  Section 505: TR 9:35-10:50 AM    BLOC 128
  Section 513: TR 2:20-3:35 PM    BLOC 128

MATH 251 web page: 

The web page of the course is http://www.math.tamu.edu/~nekrash/teaching/09F/M308.html.
The Mathematics Department has a web page for Math 308. You can find there: Weekly schedule of the course, suggested homework problems, math department computer help, help session schedule , and other information.

Text.

J. R. Brannan and W. E. Boyce, Differential Equations: An Introduction to Modern Methods and Applications, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, ISBN-13 978-0-471-65141-3.
I will provide handouts with introduction to MatLab. The following book might be helpful:
J. C. Polking, D. Arnold, Ordinary Differential Equations using MATLAB, Pearson, ISBN 0-13-145679-2.
A personal copy of MatLab is useful, but not necessary, since you will be able to work remotely on Calclab computers.

Topics covered.

This is a course in differential equations. Topics include linear ordinary differential equations and systems of linear differential equations, second order linear equations, solutions using Laplace transforms, numerical methods.

Grading.

Your grade will be determined by homework, two midterm exams and a cumulative final exam. The weights of each of these are as follows.


Section Homework Exam I Exam II Final Exam Total
. 20 pt 25 pt 25 pt 30 pt 100 pt
505 weekly Sept. 29 Nov. 3 Dec. 11 .
505 weekly Sept. 29 Nov. 3 Dec. 16 .

I may curve any grade and will then compute the course grade by the following rule: A for at least 90 points, B for at least 80 points, C for at least 70 points, D for at least 60 points and F for less than 60 points.

Make-up policy: Make-ups for missed quizzes and exams will only be allowed for a university approved excuse in writing. Wherever possible, students should inform the instructor before an exam or quiz is missed. Consistent with University Student Rules, students are required to notify an instructor by the end of the next working day after missing an exam or quiz. Otherwise, they forfeit their rights to a make-up.

Scholastic dishonesty: Copying work done by others, either in-class or out of class, is an act of scholastic dishonesty and will be prosecuted to the full extent allowed by University policy. Collaboration on assignments, either in-class or out-of-class, is forbidden unless permission to do so is granted by your instructor. For more information on university policies regarding scholastic dishonesty, see University Student Rules.

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

Copyright policy: All printed materials disseminated in class or on the web are protected by Copyright laws. One xerox copy (or download from the web) is allowed for personal use. Multiple copies or sale of any of these materials is strictly prohibited.

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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 you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Disability Services Office, in Room B116 of Cain Hall or call 862-4570.