Cañada College

Differential Equations

Instructor

Chuck Iverson
Office:  18-112
Office Phone:  650-306-3253
Web Page:  http://www.civerson.com
Email:  iverson@smccd.edu

Class Location and Meeting Times

Building 22, Room 118
11:10-12:25 TTh

Prerequisites

Physics 250 and Math 252, both with a grade of C or better.

Materials

• Differential Equations (2nd Edition) by Polking, Boggess and Arnold (ISBN: 0-13-143738-0)

Grading

Your grade will be based on:

• Homework and Exercises (30%)
• Exams and Quizzes (70%)

Course Description

One motivation in the development of Calculus was to express the fundamental principles that govern many phenomena in our everyday lives in the language of differential equations. The resulting equations involve rates of change and can be used to predict the future behavior of physical, biological, economic and other systems. This course focuses on the formulation of differential equations and the interpretation of their solutions. Solutions are analyzed from three different points of view: qualitatively (by the use of slope fields, graphs, vector fields, phase planes), numerically (using spreadsheets, calculators and various computer programs), and analytically (finding explicit solutions when possible).

Student Learning Objectives

The following are a few of the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) for Math 275:

• Correctly classify differential equations by degree (first-order, second-order, ...) and type (linear/nonlinear, ordinary/partial, homogeneous/driven).
• Correctly develop a differential equation to model a particular system.
• Correctly determine whether a given function is a solution to a differential equation.
• Correctly use standard methods (integrating factors, undetermined coefficients, variation of parameters, Laplace Transforms, power series, numerical methods) to find a solution to an initial-value-problem.

Homework

Reading the textbook and doing the assigned exercises are the most important work students can do between classes to insure understanding of concepts and to develop skill in applying problem solving techniques. Consequently, exercises and labs are collected and contribute 30% to the final grade. Late assignments get a maximum of half credit. One by-arrangement hour of tutorials and exercises in the Math Lab is required per week. Each set of exercises or problems must have the following information printed at the top, right corner of the page: student name, section number, page numbers, exercise numbers and date. For example:

• A Student
• Section 1.5
• pp. 57-59 (1-29, odd)
• 9/25/09

Exams

Frequent quizzes, four midterm exams and a final exam on the last three chapters will be given during the semester. Each midterm exam will cover two chapters. The final exam will cover three chapters. You may have one sheet of notes for each chapter covered. See the tentative schedule below for the dates of the exams.

Make-Up Exams
A make-up exam will be offered to any student who scores less than his or her homework average on a particular exam. Before taking a make-up exam, a student must meet with me to review his or her original exam. A make-up exam score will be limited to a student's current homework average. A make-up exam score will replace an original exam score only if the make-up exam score is higher.

Software and Tutorials

We'll be using Matlab (or SysquakeLE) and Graphing Calculator extensively in class.  It's not necessary to have these programs at home, but it may be useful.  Graphing Calculator, in particular, is an immensely helpful and easy-to-use math program that can be used through all math courses offered at Cañada College, and it will help you to visualize what's going on with vectors, lines and surfaces in two and three dimensions.  To encourage students in mathematics, the creator of the program offers a special student discount (equivalent to two large pizzas, but so much better for you):  http://www.pacifict.com/Order.html.  I personally use this program every day.

Expectations

I can help you succeed in this class, but I can't succeed for you. In this class you're expected to be responsible for your own academic success.

• That means you are expected to attend class and to arrive on time (2 lates equals 1 absence, 4 absences leads to a drop).
• If you're going to miss class, you should notify me ahead of time, either by phone or email.
• You are expected to contribute to class discussions and to ask questions when something is not clear.
• You are expected to do your homework assignments before the class when they are due and to seek help from me or your classmates or Nancy Ward if you are having difficulty completing them.
• You should check the class notes and assignments link (top right of this page) if you miss class. All class assignments, exam solutions and special notes will be posted at this web site after class.
• You are expected to see me during office hours for additional help or to take make-up exams.

Tentative Topic Schedule