MA 211 SYLLABUS, SPRING '00

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Course Objectives:  To gain an understanding of how differential equations arise in a variety of contexts, assorted methods of investigating and solving them (numerically, graphically, and symbolically), and how to interpret the solution.  Considerable time will be spent on mathematical modeling, including a major project using UMAP modules.  (UMAP stands for Undergraduate Mathematics and its Applications).
Class Schedule:  Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 1 - 1:50.  If I need to miss a class due to travel, it will be made up by class running until 2:15 (the usual time such classes end) a couple of days the week before or after this missed class.
Instructor:  B. Gold; Office Location:  HH C-6;  Office Telephone:  571-4451
Office Hours:  M 11:15 - 12:15, T 3 - 4, W 1 - 2, Th 2:30 - 3:30, or by appointment or chance
E-mail Address:  bgold@monmouth.edu
Required Text:  Lomen and Lovelock, Differential Equations; students who own computers are strongly encouraged to purchase a student version of Maple, which the bookstore has at a substantial discount.
Course Requirements:  Weekly homework assignments, one project, three in-class exams, final exam
Methods of Evaluation and Grading Policy:  Homework 20%, project 15%, in-class exams 15% each, final exam 20%
On a scale of 0 to 100, grades of:
     A and A- will be assigned to scores of 90 and above
     B+, B and B- will be assigned to scores between 80 and 89
     C+, C and C- will be assigned to scores between 65 and 79
     D+, D and D- will be assigned to scores between 50 and 65
     F will be assigned to scores below 50.
Attendance Requirement:  As we will do a lot of group work in class, attendance is expected.
Examination Absences:  If you must miss an examination, you must let me know, by telephone, e-mail, or in person, before the examination, or the grade on the examination will be 0, with no exceptions!  Further, you must speak with me before the
next class period to determine a time for a make-up examination.
Last date to Withdraw with automatic assignment of “W” grade:  Monday, March 27, 2000
Statement on Academic Honesty:  You may work with other students, but not copy from other students.  However, if you do work with others on a problem, that should be acknowledged in your solution of the problem, especially if someone else contributed the main idea toward the solution.  Unless it becomes excessive, there will be no reduction in credit for getting such assistance.  However, failure to acknowledge assistance or collaborative work will be considered plagarism.
In accordance with the academic honesty policy of Monmouth University each exam will contain the following pledge:
“Examination Rules:  No student is permitted to have at his or her desk any books or papers that are not given out or expressly permitted by the instructor.  Possession of such material will be regarded as evidence of intent to use the information dishonestly.  No communication between students during the examination is permitted.  If there are questions, or if there is a need for additional material, the instructor should be asked. If there is a need for calculations or notes, they may be written on the pages of the exam. The following pledge must be signed and submitted with the examination:
I, ____________________________, certify that I have read the above rules for examinations, and that I have abided by them. By signing, I affirm that I have neither given nor received aid during this examination, and I understand that violation of this affirmation may result in suspension or expulsion from Monmouth University.”
Statement on Special Accomodations:  Students with disabilities who need special accommodations for this class are encouraged to meet with me or the appropriate disability service provider on campus as soon as possible.  In order to receive accommodations, students must be registered with the appropriate disability service provider on campus as set forth in the student handbook and must follow the University procedure for self-disclosure, which is stated in the University Guide to Services and Accomodations for Students with Disabilities.  Students will not be afforded any special accommodations for academic work completed prior to the disclosure of the disability, nor will they be afforded any special accommodations prior to the completion of the documentation process with the appropriate disability office.

Outline of Course Content: Introduction to differential equations; autonomous differential equations; first-order differential equations:  qualitative and quantitative aspects; separable and homogeneous coefficient equations; interplay between first-order systems and higher-order equations; second-order equations; Laplace transforms; power series solutions.


Tentative Schedule:
 * indicates dates we meet until 2:15 to make up class missed 1/20
 
Date Sections Individual homework Group homework
1/18 1.1, 1.2 1.1 / 1aehk; 1.2 / 1efk 1.1 / 2, 4; 1.2 / 6
1/24* 1.3 1f by hand; 1ahk, 6 2, 4, 8
1/25 1.4 2
1/27* 2.1 1ad, 2, 3, 5 7, 10b
1/31 2.2, A.6 2.2 / 3, 4, 5, 9 2.2  / 7, 10
2/1 2.3 1, 7 5, 8b, 11, 12, 14
2/3 2.4 1, 2 4, 6, 9a, 10
2/7 2.4, 2.5
2/8 2.5 2, 3, 4 8, 11, 12
2/10 2.6 1ac 2
2/14 2.6
2/15 Exam 1 Chapters 1 and 2.1 - 2.5
2/17 3.1 3ac, 4ac, 6a, 7, 12 1, 11
2/21 3.2 1, 3 6, 8a, 10
2/22 3.3 1be, 4, 8 3, 5, 11, 12
2/24 3.3
2/28 3.4 1 4, 5
2/29 3.5 1bc, 3
3/2 4.1 1aceg, 3, 4ae, 5ae 8, 12a, 13
3/4 - 3/12 "Spring" break
3/13 4.2, 4.3 4.2 # 5c 4.2 # 6 for 5c
3/14 4.3, 4.4 4.3 # 1, 7, 10, 4.4 # 6, 8
3/16 4.6 1, 9 2, 6, 7
3/20 5.1, 5.2 5.1 # 1g by hand
3/21 5.2 1abe via Maple, then #2 for 1abe 5, 8, 14
3/23 Exam 2 Chapters 3 and 4
3/27 6.1, 6.2
3/28 6.3
3/30 6.4, 6.5
4/3 6.6
4/4
4/6
4/10 UMAP Projects this week
4/11
4/13
4/17
4/18
4/20
4/24
4/25
4/27
5/1