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MAT 204 Differential Equations Spring 2005
Instructor: Bruce Armbrust, phone: 541-4660 ext. 314, email: armbrust@ltcc.edu
Office Hours: Room A210, Mon. 1:00 2:00 PM Wed. 1:00 2:00 PM Thurs. 9:00 10:00 AM GMC G4, Tues. 9:00 10:00 AM Thurs. 12:00 1:00 PM And as always, by appointment.
Class Time and Location: Mon., Wed. 2:00 3:05 PM, G2-B Tues., & Thurs. 2:00 - 3:05 PM, E106
Textbook: Elementary Differential Equations, 8th Edition, by Boyce, & DiPrima
Course Description: This course covers techniques of solving ordinary differential equations including: exact, separable, and linear equations, integrating factors, the method of undetermined coefficients, variation of parameters, Laplace transforms, series solutions, systems of differential equations, and applications.
Prerequisite: MAT107 with a grade of C or better or equivalent.
Course Objectives: The successful student will: 1) exhibit a proficiency in the topics covered in the course; 2) engage in logical and critical thinking; 3) read technical information; and 4) demonstrate the solution to problems by translating written language into mathematical statements, interpreting information, sketching relevant diagrams, analyzing given information, formulating appropriate mathematical statements, and checking and verifying results.
Course Grade: Your final letter grade will be based on the usual grading scale: A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59% The following items will make up the course grade:
Homework: 150 points Exam1 (April 21) Exam2 (May 12): 500 points Exam3 (June 2) Final Exam (June 20): 350 points
You may check your grades at any point in the quarter by going to the following website:
http://www.gradesource.com/reports/1027/7356/index.html
Homework: Homework will be due by 5PM the class day after it is assigned. Homework not turned in at this time will be considered late. You may turn in homework up to one week after it is assigned for half credit. If all homework is turned in, and no more than two are late, you do not need to take the final exam.
Exams: Students are to bring a pencil and blank scratch paper to each exam. If you cannot make it to an exam (final not included), you may take it up to 2 school days prior to the scheduled date with proper arrangements. Otherwise, the exam may be made up after the scheduled date with a penalty of 10% per day.
Registration Information: You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records. You may drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record on or before April 29. After April 29, you may drop the class and receive a grade of W until June 3. After June 3, if still enrolled, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F or I.
How to Succeed in a Math Class: I am often asked how to successfully pass a math class, and here is my advice:
I) Come to every class session. Be prepared, and plan on participating. II) Do your homework. Remember that what I assign is what I consider a bare minimum. If you need more practice, do it. III) Read the book. You paid good money for it, so you might as well use it. IV) Make use of available tutors and my office hours. You will find tutors who know the subject matter in this course at the GMC. V) Do math every day. Math is just like everything else: if you dont practice, you become rusty.
Learning Disabled Students: It is important that students who are identified as being learning disabled speak to me about their special needs. I am more than willing to grant you reasonable accommodations.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any form will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating on exams or quizzes will receive a score of zero on the assignment for the first offense and a course grade of F for the second offense. Students may work together on homework assignments (and, in fact, are encouraged to) as long as all students understand the material covered.
Course Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule. If things change (and I have money that says they will), I will let you know. April4 1.1/1.2 Introduction to Differential Equations 5 1.3/1.4 More Intro 6 2.1 Linear Equations with Variable Coefficients 7 2.2 Separable Equations 11 2.3 Modeling with First Order Equations 12 2.4 Linear vs. Nonlinear 13 2.5 Autonomous Equations 14 2.6 Exact Equations and Integrating Factors 18 2.8 The Existence and Uniqueness Theorem 19 2.9 First Order Difference Equations 20 3.1 Homogeneous Equations with Constant Coefficients 21 Exam I 25 Go Over Exam I 26 3.2 Linear Homogeneous Equations 27 3.3 Linear Independence and the Wronskian 28 3.4 Complex Roots of the Characteristic Equation May2 3.5 Repeated Roots 3 3.6 Nonhomogeneous Equations 4 3.7 Variation of Parameters 5 3.8 Mechanical and Electrical Vibrations 9 3.9 Forced Vibrations 10 4.1 General Theory of nth Order Linear Equations 11 4.2 Higher Order Homogeneous Equations 12 Exam II 16 Go Over Exam II 17 4.3 Method of Undetermined Coefficients 18 4.4 Method of Variation of Parameters 19 5.1 Power Series 23 5.2 Series Solutions near an Ordinary Point 24 5.3 More Series Solutions 25 5.4 Regular Singular Points 26 5.5 Euler Equations 30 NO CLASS MEMORIAL DAY 31 6.1 The Laplace Transform June1 6.2 Initial Value Problems 2 Exam III 6 Go Over Exam III 7 6.3 Step Functions 8 6.4 Discontinuous Forcing Functions 9 7.2/7.3 Matrices/Systems of Linear Algebraic Equations 13 7.4 Systems of First Order Linear Equations 14 7.5 Homogeneous Linear Systems 15 7.6 Complex Eigenvalues 16 Review 20 Final Exam Note: The final is from 2:00 - 3:50 PM |