Math 246 Syllabus

MATH 246 (Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers)

Course Decription:This course is an introduction to ordinary differential equations. The course introduces the basic techniques for solving and/or analyzing first and second order differential equations, both linear and nonlinear, and systems of differential equations. The course will follow Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of Boyce and Diprima and Chapters 1-8 and 11-13 of Hunt et al. The use of mathematical software system is an integral and substantial part of the course. All sections of the course will use the software system MATLAB.

Prerequisite: MATH 141 or equivalent

Textbook: Elementary Differential Equations - 8th ed., by Boyce & DiPrima. Published by Wiley and Sons. and for the MATLAB material:
Differential Equations with MATLAB, 2nd Edition, by Hunt, Lipsman, Osborn, and Rosenberg. Published by J. Wiley.

Homework: Homework (not including MATLAB projects) will be assigned on the course homework page and should be completed by the indicated due date. Homework will not be collected; your homework will be evaluated by your performance on periodic quizzes and midterm exams. You should make every effort to complete the homework assignments and seek help with problems you have not been able to solve.

Reading: Reading the sections of the textbook corresponding to the assigned homework exercises is considered part of the homework assignment and it will be expected that you read the assigned material in advance of each lecture. You are responsible for material in the assigned reading whether or not it is discussed in the lecture.

Quizzes: There will be four (4) quizzes given during the discussion section on certain Friday; please see the course calendar for the dates of the quizzes. Each quiz will consist of two problems similar to the assigned homework and you will be allowed twenty (20) minutes to complete each quiz. Your cumulative quiz grade will be based on the best 3 of the 4 quizzes. No notes (or books) or calculators will be allowed during the quizzes. There will be no makeup quizzes.

Matlab Projects: There will be four (4) Matlab projects due on certain Friday; please see Math 246 Matlab for details. You may work in teams of up to 3 students with each team handing in one paper. Different teams may not work together or share their work. Members of a team must have the same TA. Matlab assignments must be handed in in the discussion session. Late assignments will not be accepted. Matlab homework must be prepared in the format explained on the web page.

.

Exams: There will be two (2) midterm exams and one final exam. See the course calendar for the dates of the midterm exams. The final exam will be held on Saturday, May 12. No calculators will be allowed during the exams. There will be no make up exams.

Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your cumulative average at the end of the term:
20% Quizzes, 30% Two Midterm Exams, 20% Matlab Projects, 30% Final Exam