Welcome to Math 308 Section 200 – Summer 2011Instructor: Dr. Jean Marie Linhart Phone: (979) 845-5321 (office)Office: Blocker 620G Email: [email protected] hours: 1:30 - 2:30 am MTWR and by appointmentInstructor’s website: http://www.math.tamu.edu/∼jmlinharteLearning website: http://elearning.tamu.eduClass time: MTWRF 10 – 11:35 am Location: Blocker 128Important course information and updates/modifications to the course schedule arekept current on the web:http://www.math.tamu.edu/∼jmlinhart/m308Required text: Differential Equations: an introduction to modern methods and applications byJames R. Brannan and William E. Boyce, Wiley and Sons, Inc. Copyright 2007, 2011Recommended text: Ordinary Differential Equations Using MATLAB by PolkingCatalog Title and Description: (CREDIT 3.0) Differential Equations. Ordinary differentialequations (ODEs), solutions in series, solutions using Laplace transforms, systems of differentialequations. Prerequisites: MATH 251 or equivalent; knowledge of computer algebra systems.A note on prerequisites: Integration is used repeatedly in solving ODEs. We will review basiccalculus integrals and techniques such as trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential integrals, inte-gration by substitution, integration by parts, and integration by partial fractions. Energy put intomastering these will reward you throughout the course.Course Learning Outcomes: The main course learning outcome is to be able to solve ODEs andapply methods learned in this class to other mathematics, physics, engineering and science classes.You will be able to classify ODEs, you will know multi-step methods for solving different classes ofODEs, and given a specific solvable ODE, you will be able to apply the correct method step-by-stepto find solutions.Grading policy: Grades will be based on some or all of the following elements:class participation – 0% to 10% (if applied other elements reduced proportionately)homework and writing exercises – suggest 10-15% (willing to skip and increase quiz % and exam %)quizzes – suggest 10-15% (willing to skip and increase HW % and exam %)MATLAB assignments – suggest 5-10%two in-class exams – suggest 25% eacha final exam – suggest: may reduce lowest exam grade up to only 10% of grade and the other examproportionally so that exams make up ∼50% of the final gradeExact percentages for these elements of the grade will be determined during the first week of classby the students and the instructor jointly; the instructor has veto power and power to decide by fiatif consensus cannot be reached. When consensus has been reached, this syllabus will be updatedand reposted on the web for all.Class participation will only be used to help a student’s grade, and it will be determined by judgmentof the instructor. If class attendance and participation are insufficient, the final grade will be averagedwithout. The percentages for the other elements will be reduced proportionately if class participationis averaged in.The final exam is optional for students performing sufficiently well in the class; it will replace thelowest exam grade.1Grading scale: The following grading scale represents minimal grades that will be awarded; gradesmay be slightly higher than those indicated.A = 90-100%, B = 80-89% , C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = below 60%S = 70-100%, U = below 70%Because of privacy rights, I cannot discuss grades over email or telephone.Course topics and schedule: The intended course schedule is posted onhttp://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math308/currentsched.html.We will have to accelerate this schedule substantially and we will likely not have time to cover thismuch material in the 5 week summer course. We will start with Chapter 1, 2, 3 as listed on theofficial schedule, material from Appendix A may be worked in while covering other material. We willfigure out how we want to proceed from there based in part on student interest and on instructorintelligence on how the material best fits together.What we are working on and what is coming up will be updated regularly on our course website.The learning process: Mathematics is not a spectator sport. You learn through practice andparticipation. Since this is an accelerated summer course, plan on budgeting at least 15 hours aweek for work outside of the classroom.• Actively listen to the lecture, think, ask questions.• Work homework problems, read the book, ask questions.• Do MATLAB assignments, ask questions.• Take a quiz, ask questions.• Take an exam, reflect on what you were able to do or not, and why, ask questions.Homework: A thorough understanding of the homework handed in or suggested is essential fordoing well in the course.Homework problems and MATLAB assignments can be found on my web page. Homework may becollected as often as daily. Late homework may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor; anearly request is more likely to receive a positive response.Working with others on the homework and MATLAB assignments is encouraged. There are someguidelines on my website for working together. I will also set up a discussion board on eLearning tofacilitate finding study partners.Quizzes: Quizzes will be based on the homework.Exams: There will be two in-class exams and a comprehensive final.Tentative Exam Schedule Final ExamExam 1: Friday, Jul 22 Wednesday, Aug 10Exam 2: Friday, Aug 5 10:30 am - 12:30 pmIf a change needs to be made to the exam schedule, an announcement will be made in class, andinformation will be updated on my website.Any questions regarding grading/scoring of exams must be made before the exam leaves the roomor no change in grade will be made. If you need more time to look at an exam and do not wantto lose your right of protest, hand it back to me at the end of class, and arrange to come to officehours.Communication: Email is the preferred way to leave messages for me. I usually respond within24-48 hours. When writing to me, please include your full name and course. There are some emailwriting tips on my website.Use the office phone primarily to see if I am in the office or to call during office hours.Course information is sent out by email. Check your university email daily.2Make-ups and Excused Absences: Please try to avoid putting yourself in a position of needinga make-up. Make-ups are inconvenient for everybody. Make-ups are only given if written evidenceof an official University excused absence is provided in a timely manner. (See University