SYLLABUS FOR MATH 308DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONSFall 2007Section 506MWF 1:50–2:40pm BLOC 131Instructor: Mariya VorobetsOffice: Milner 004e-mail: [email protected]: http://www.math.tamu.edu/˜mvorobet/math308.htmlTelephone: (979)845-0849Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:30–11:30am or by appointment.COURSE TITLE & DESCRIPTION: Differential Equations (3 Credit Hours) - Thiscourse is an introduction to the ordinary differential equations. It focuses on some types of thefirst and higher order differential equations. You will learn how to find, analyze, and approxi-mate solutions of such equations. You will see that equations we study arise as mathematicalmodels for important natural phenomena (mechanical motion, mechanical and electrical oscil-lations, population dynamics, etc.). The course also includes Laplace transforms method forsolving differential equations, and matrix methods for solving systems of differential equations.Prerequisite: MATH 251/253/221 or equivalent.TEXT: Fundamentals of D ifferential equations and Boundary Value Problems , Custom edi-tion for TAMU, by Nagle, Saff, and SniderSuggested lab manual: Solving Differential Equations with Maple VCourse web page: http://calclab.math.tamu.edu/docs/math308HOMEWORK: Homework problems will be assigned every week and usually are due onFriday in the lecture. The homework problems and the due date will be posted on my webpage. You are expected to do all the assigned homework problems. Late homework will notbe accepted. If for some reason you can not be in class and turn in your HW in due day, youmay drop it off before the class on due day in my mailbox in Milner 130 (please, do not slidethem under the door of my office). Collaboration on homework is allowed, but you have to writeyour ENTIRE solution by yourself. Similarly written homeworks will receive no credit. Whenyou turn in your homework do not forget to put your name on it, section number, homeworknumber and staple all the sheets. All work must be shown. No credit would be given for theanswer that is not supported by any work.It is very important for your success in class that you do your homework regularly, completingall of the suggested problems and practicing working w ith Maple. Visit me to discuss theseproblems and seek my help if needed.EXAMINATIONS: The grading scale is usual 60-70-80-90% (you get an A if your scoreis 90% or more; etc).Tentative exams dates are: Exam I- October 5, Exam II - Novemb er 16.Final exam: December 11, 3:30-5:30 pm. in the classroom.No collaboration on the midterms and on the final is allowed. The use of books, cell phones,calculators or notes of any sort during exams is not permitted.GRADING POLICY: Grades will be assigned on the basis of 450 points, distributed asfollows:1EXAM I = 100 pts, EXAM II = 100 pts, HW = 100 pts, FINAL EXAM = 150 pts, TOTAL= 450 pts (100%) All homework assignments are mandatory, although, only 10 the best scoreswould count in the final grade (i.e. a few worst grades will be dropped at the end). However, atleast one homework that includes computer assignment should be count in the final grade andcan not be dropped.ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES and MAKE-UP POLICY: The material covered inthe course is fairly difficult. So your presence during each class is strongly encouraged. If youmiss class for some reason, please do read the relevant material from the book before you cometo the class the next day.Make-ups for missed exams will only be allowed for a university approved absence in writing(see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm for details).LATE WORK POLICY: No late work will be accepted unless there is a university ap-proved excuse in writing.GETTING HELP. If you need help with the course, talk to me as soon as possible, andcome to my office hours regularly. You do not need an appointment to come to regular officehours.SPECIAL SERVICES: The American with Disabilities ACT (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with dis-abilities. Among other things, the legislation requires that all students with disabilities beguaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabil-ities. If you believe you have a disability requiring special accommodations, please contact theDepartment of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities (Cain Hall, Room B118, orcall 845-1637).SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Copying work done by others, either in class or out ofclass, looking on other students papers during exams, having possession of unapproved infor-mation in your calculator/computer, and/or having someone else do your work for you are allacts of scholastic dishonesty. These acts, and other acts that can be classified as scholasticdishonesty, will be prosecuted to the full extent allowed by University policy. In this class,collaboration on assignments, either in class or out of class, is forbidden unless permission to doso is granted by the instructor. For more information on university policy regarding scholasticdishonesty, see University Student Rules at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/. An Aggie doesnot lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. Visit http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonorand follow the rules of an Aggie Honor Code.COPYRIGHT POLICY: All materials disseminated in class or on the web are protectedby 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.Have an enjoyable and successful