Required Materials: The text is Differential Equations: Concepts, Methods, and Models, by Leigh C. Becker, 2009-2010 Edition. The book may be purchased in the print shop for $60 cash or check. One or more floppy, ZIP-100, or USB flash disks should always be available for downloading and saving. You will need to be able to access the software package Maple on a regular basis. We will use Maple regularly in class and some assignments will require the use of Maple. Maple 13 is available in the 24-hour lab. My worksheets can be opened by Maple 11 or later.

Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to the concepts and methods of ordinary differential equations. Topics include: first-order equations, elementary numerical methods, qualitative analysis, second-order homogeneous linear equations, the methods of undetermined coefficients and varition of parameters for nonhomogeneous equations, Laplace transforms, and models in science and engineering. Prerequisite: MATH 132.

Goals: The student will learn how to solve those ordinary differential equations that are typically encountered in undergraduate science and engineering courses; and, by discussing some simple applications, how to interpret some of these equations and their solutions in a physical setting. The student should understand the rationale behind the various methods.

Topics:

Chapter		Topic
1		The Wonderful World of Differential Equations
2		Separable Equations
3		Direction Fields and Solution Curves
4		Numerical Methods for First-Order Equations
5		First-Order Linear Equations
6		Modeling with First-Order Equations
8		Exact Equations
9		Second-Order Linear Equations
10		The Laplace Transform
7		Modeling Abrupt Changes
11		Solution of Planar Linear Systems (if time permits)

Reading Homework: Some of the most important homework in this class is the reading homework. You should do your reading with pencil and paper handy. Read slowly, thoughtfully, and analytically. Your goal is to understand the math theory well enough that you can apply it to solving new problems. For class discussion, I will always assume that you have done the assigned reading.

Routine Homework: Routine written homework will usually be assigned each class and due the next class. Students may work collaboratively on these problems. Each assignment will consist mostly of problems where the answers are provided. One or two problems will be designated as graded problems. These are to be placed at the end of the assignment. All work is to be submitted on 8.5 by 11 inch paper without frayed edges and is to be done in pencil. All the work for each problem is to be shown. Where necessary or helpful, include some clear, plain English.

Each regular homework counts 10 points. If an assignment has two graded problems, each is worth 3 points. A single graded problem is worth 5 points. However, the non-graded problems must be submitted in order to receive credit for the graded problems. All assignments are to be submitted at the beginning of the period in which they are due. Penalties may be assessed for late homework.

Finally, at the end of each assignment, include a short comment about how things are going. Comments could be about difficulties experienced, things that are going well, suggestions for the class, requests for appointments, etc. In general, comment on whatever it would be helpful for me to know.

Maple Homework: Maple worksheet assignments will be given from time to time. They are to include appropriate documentation. Point values for such assignments will vary. Evaluation will be based both on correctness of solutions and presentation.

Tests: There will be three hour exams and a cumulative final examination, with dates to be announced.

Make-up Exams: Make-up exams will not usually be given. Failure to take an exam results in a score of 0. For exceptional circumstances, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor.

Grading: The routine homework will count for 15% of the final grade, with the lowest 1/7 of the homework grades being dropped. Maple homework counts for 10% of the final grade. The hour exams count for 55% of the final grade, and the final exam counts for 20%. The following percentage scale will be used as a base:

A 90—100 B 80—89 C 65—79 D 60 — 64 F 0—59

The final grade may be adjusted downward due to attendance as explained below.

Attendance: Daily attendance is important and expected. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. Each absence beyond 2 will result in a 2% reduction in the final course grade. If you enter the class after attendance is taken, you may see me after class to have the recorded absence changed to 1/2 an absence. Also, from page 25 of the 2009-10 CBU Catalog:

Any student who has missed a total of eight (8) hours or approximately 20% of class time may be given a mark of "F" after the last day to withdraw from classes has passed.

Plagiarism: The Christian Brothers University policy on plagiarism is clearly stated in the Compas and will be followed in this class.

Reserve Material: The Differential Equations Problem Solver and Differential Equations from Schaum’s Outline Series are both on reserve in the library under my name in the math section. Both of these books have many fully worked examples.

Other Resources: Information for this course can be found on my World Wide Web homepage, which can be accessed at

At that site you will always find a copy of this document, an updated listing of assignments, Maple worksheets, and some solution documents. A second very helpful site is S.O.S. Mathematics at

This site has much information to help you with differential equations. There is some nice interactive differential equation software at

 Download Strategies: The documents available on my web site are of five types:

html: This is the standard browser format.

jpeg: This is the jpeg format and can be read by every browser.

doc: This is the Microsoft Word format. Netscape will give you the option to launch Word and open the document or save the document. Internet Explorer will open the document within the Explorer window.

pdf: This is the portable document format. Browsers will open the document with Adobe Acrobat Reader within the browser window.

mw: Maple Worksheets end with the extension mw. When such a document is chosen in your browser, the browser window may launch Maple, give you the option to save the file to disk, or fill the browser window with strange looking code. Save the document to disk by using "Save As..." from the file menu. If the saved file has the Maple icon, you can open the file in Maple by double-clicking the file. Otherwise, launch Maple, unless it is already running, and open the document by using "Open..." from the file menu. Then immediately do another "Save As..." so that the computer marks it as a Maple worksheet.