Course Information
Course: Math 250 A, Differential
Equations, Spring 2008, Central
College. This class carries the "m" (math) core designation.
Professor: Tom Linton, 129
Vermeer Science Center, (641) 628-5264, email: lintont@central.edu.
Class Meets: T-Th 12:30-1:45 PM
in VSC 141.
Office Hours: Mon 11-11:50 AM,
Tues 8-8:50 AM, Wed 1-1:50 PM, Fri 9-9:50 AM, or by appointment.
Text: Differential Equations, An Introduction to Modern
Methods & Applications by Brannan and Boyce.
Technology: We will make extensive use of the
programs ODE Architect, Mathematica, and perhaps other software related
to differential equations. No prior knowledge of these tools is
assumed. The class
web page is located at the URL http://pages.central.edu/emp/lintont/classes/spring08/diffyqframeset.htm.
This course has a site on Central's Blackboard server (http://my.central.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp),
and information relevant to this course may come via
email. You should regularly check your Central email and the class web
pages for information related to this class. There is also a WileyPlus
website for this class, details will be provided soon as to how to
access this site.
Cumulative Final Exam: 3:30 PM Tuesday May 6,
VSC
141.
Course Overview Differential equations describe how
quantities change over time and can be used to predict the future
values of
these quantities. From calculus we know that the rate of change is
given by the derivative, thus we will be studying equations involving
an unknown function and its derivatives. Many problems in mathematics,
engineering and several areas of science lead naturally to such
expressions. This introductory course will utilize technology freely
and we will emphasize methods, modeling, graphical representation,
qualitative concepts and geometric intuition as well as explore the
theoretical underpinnings of differential equations. A knowledge of two
semesters of calculus is assumed.
Goals and Objectives Upon completion of this
course, students will:
- understand the language of differential equations;
- be able to make qualitative judgments of solutions to
differential equations;
- be able to utilize, in a meaningful manner, software related to
analyzing differential equations;
- be able to use graphical and numerical approximations to refine
their judgments;
- be able to analytically solve some important families of
differential equations;
- be able to apply these skills to problems in the physical and
social sciences.
American Disabilities Act Central
College abides by interpretations of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that
stipulates no student shall be denied the benefits of an education
"solely
by reason of a handicap."
Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to,
learning
disabilities, hearing, sight, or mobility impairments, and other health
related
impairments. If you have a documented
disability that may have some impact on your work in this class for
which you
may require accommodations, please see me and Nancy Kroese,
Director of
Student Support Services and Disabilities Services Coordinator, (x
5247) during
the first two weeks of the semester so that such accommodations may be
arranged.
Grades Grades, based on
the letter, or A, A-, B+, B, B-, . . . system, will be based on a
weighted curve of the total points in the class. The curve used will be
the traditional 100-93 A, 92-90 A-, 89-88 B+, etc. (or an easier
curve). The breakdown of the points in the class is given below. There
is typically no extra credit for this class.
Late assignments (homework, projects, etc.) Mock
Trail participants, choir tour participants, athletes, and others who
must miss a class for participating in a college sanctioned event are
required to notify me in advance and complete work including tests in
advance of the absence. It is the student's responsibility to
communicate with me in advance regarding their absences and determine a
schedule for make up work.
I will drop your lowest homework
assignment. In addition, each student will receive four "days" of
allowed (penalty free) late assignments. An assignment is late "one
day" if it is
turned in after I collect it, up to the following lecture period, at
which point the 2nd late day begins, and runs up to the next class
period, etc. Other than the dropped scores and each student's four
days of penalty free lateness, there is no credit for late work.
Quizzes missed due to unexcused absences can NOT be made up. You are
responsible for all of the material covered in (and turned in during)
class each day (even if you are not present or the assignments do not
appear on-line but were given in class).
Exams (450 points)
There will be three midterm exams worth 100
points each. The three midterm exams will occur in the evening (a section of regular
class time will be canceled for each exam) approximately on the dates
February 5 (exam 1), March 5 (exam 2), and April
15 (exam 3). We will also have a cumulative final exam worth 150 points
at 3:30 PM on Tuesday May 6.
Homework, Quizzes, Projects, and Activities (400 points) I will assign and
collect homework problems on a regular basis (one or more assignments
from each section we cover). Recording "just the answer" will receive
little or no credit. You should show and/or explain your work on all
assignments for this class. You are encouraged to work together on
homework assignments,
but this does NOT mean copying the work of others nor answers from a
solution set. We will do several in-class activities throughout the
semester
(where new concepts are introduced, or old notions are examined in more
detail). Most of these activities will be done in groups, and all will
contain questions similar to homework problems. We may have some (4 to
5) quizzes. We will likely have a few (4 or 5) assignments that utilize
software (Mathematica or ODE Architect) and are more involved (both in
length and difficulty level) than the homework problems. We will have
roughly 400 total points for this portion of
your grade.
Participation (50 points) You are expected to be in class
each day. If
you miss a day of class you are still responsible for the
materials-activities completed that day. You are expected to
participate in class discussions, ask questions, and to be engaged in
the day to day actions of the
class. There will be roughly 50 points related to your class
participation.
Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism (which includes working together on an individual
assignment, or editing someone else's work and turning it in with your
name on it), or copying answers from other people or books without
citing the source is a serious offense and will result in no credit for
the work and possibly more serious punishment (failing the class,
placing a
letter in your file, and withdrawl from school are
possibilities). It is OK to discuss your answers with other
groups on group assignments, but the work you turn in must be
your own, not a modified version of someone else's work. Working
together does NOT mean copying someone else's work, in
fact, a good rule to always follow is:
When you require help on a problem, you should only have
your helper
look at what you have done, and give you advise. You
should never look at what they have done.
Central College's Academic Honesty Policy
Plagiarism
and cheating of any form are serious offenses and may result
in an F for the assignment, the course, or expulsion from the college. The details of Central's Academic Integrity
policy are found in the Student Handbook, on the web. A copy will be
sent to
you via e-mail during the first week of the semester. It is your responsibility
to read and understand the contents of that policy before you submit
work to be
graded. Questions regarding the policies and enforcement of the
policies may be
addressed to me during class or during office hours.
Class Materials
Wiley Plus
ODE Architect
Mathematica Notebooks
Some
reminders
for experienced users
and tips for new users.
Schedule Relevant information
will be added
to this schedule as we progress through the semester. An up to date
version is available on line at
http://pages.central.edu/emp/lintont/classes/spring08/diffyq/index.htm#schedule.
|
Week
|
Dates
|
Section(s)
|
Assignment and due date
|
| 1 |
1-15 to 17 |
1.1 Some Basic Mathematical Models, Direction Fields
1.2 Solutions of Some Differential Equations
|
Work through the ODE Architect Tutorial
1.1 #6,8,10,11,19,20,24,29 due 1-22
1.2 #2,11,13,22 due Th 1-24
|
2
|
1-22
to 24
|
1.3
Numerical Approximations: Euler's Method
1.4 Classification of Differential Equations
|
|
| 17 |
May 6
|
3:30 PM
|
Cumulative final exam |