Math 462 Syllabus

MATH 462 (Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers)

Course Decription:This course is an introduction to partial differential equations (PDE). We will discuss first order equations, the heat equation, the wave equation and the Poisson equation, the last three being the prototype of second order equations. We will also discuss nonlinear equations of each type. We will develop the method of separation of variables and eigen-function expansions, which lead to Fourier analysis. Qualitative properties and numerical methods will also be studied. This corresponds to Chapters 1 to 8. MATLAB will be used mostly for graphical purposes and illustrative computation.

Prerequisite: Calculus MATH 240, 241 and Elementary ODE MATH 246 (or equivalent).

Textbook: Partial Differential Equations: An Introduction,., by Walter A. Strauss. Published by Wiley and Sons.
Reference for the MATLAB material:
Introduction to Partial Differential Equations with MATLAB, by Jeffery M. Cooper Published by Bikhauser.

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 Tuesday; 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 one (1) Matlab project. You may work in teams of up to 3 students with each team handing in one paper.

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Exams: There will be one midterm exams and one final exam. See the course calendar for the dates of the midterm 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, 25% Midterm Exam, 20% Matlab Projects, 35% Final Exam