MAT 303 (Calculus IV with Applications) Spring 2009

Introduction to Differential Equations

Spring 2008

This course is an introduction to differential equations, with particular emphasis on scientific applications. Topics we will cover include homogeneous and non homogeneous linear equations, systems of equations, the Laplace transform, series solutions to equations and nonlinear systems. Numerical and graphical methods will play an important role throughout the semester; these will be implemented using a variety of computer and calculator technologies. The prerequisite is completion of one of the standard calculus sequences (either MAT 125-127 or MAT 131-132). The 200-level courses MAT 203/205 (Calculus III) and MAT 211 (Linear Algebra) are not required, but it is strongly recommended that you have had some exposure to basic ideas in multivariable calculus and linear algebra.

• Instructor: Mikhail Movshev

• Office Location: 4-109 Math Tower

• Email: mmovshev ad math dot sunysb dot edu

• Web site: http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~mmovshev

• Office hours: Wed 1:00-3:00 in 4-109 Math Tower

  MAT 303

  Lectures and Recitations Note: May not be taken for credit in addition to MAT 305 or AMS 361.

  Final Exam: Tuesday May 19, 11:00am-1:30pm in Physics P118

  LEC 1	41259	Tu,Th	12:50pm- 2:10pm	Physics	P118	Mikhail Movshev
  R01	41005	F	11:45am-12:40pm	Physics	P128	Joseph Malkoun
  R02	49316	W	11:45am-12:40pm	Physics	P128	Andrew Bulawa
  R03	58873	M	10:40am-11:35am	Physics	P129	Joseph Malkoun

  Recitation Instructors:

• R01,R02: Joseph Malkoun

• Email: malkoun ad math dot sunysb dot edu

• Office hours: Wed 2:00-3:00 in 2-112 and MLC Tue 5:00-7:00

• R 03: Andrew Bulawa

• Email: abulawa ad math dot sunysb dot edu

• Office: 2-121 Math Tower

• Office hours: Wednesday 9-10, MLC hours are Tuesday 4-6

• Textbook

• Computer Resources

• Homework and Quizzes

• Grading Policy

• List of topics to be covered and schedule of lectures

Course Text:

• Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, by C. H. Edwards, Jr. and D. E. Penney (Prentice-Hall, Inc.), Fourth Edition.(Note, that problem sets in different editions do not coincide)

Computer resources:

• DiffEqWeb a graphical ordinary differential equation solver written by Simo Kivelä and Mika Spåra of the Helsinki University of Technology.

• Programs for Euler's method and slope field generation for graphing calculators (Texas Instruments TI-82, TI-85 and Sharp EL-9300, EL 9200).

• MAPLE reference pages. Elementary numerical and graphical examples (these pages were prepared by Stewart Mandell for use in our course MAT 126 several years ago). If you need help getting used to MAPLE, these are a good place to start.

• Some additional reference pages which describe how to use MAPLE to investigate properties of differential equations :

  • a beginning tutorial (introduces you to the syntax of MAPLE)

  • direction fields

  • symbolic solutions of differential equations

  • numeric solutions of differential equations

Homework and Quizzes:

Homework assignments will be collected during the recitations ; they should always be turned in at the beginning of class. Please, remember that your solutions of the homework problem are important documents. You should keep them to the end of the semester. A random selection of problems on each homework will be graded by the TA. In addition, I will also provide a list of suggested extra problems; these will not be collected but I strongly recommend that you attempt them as well, particularly if you find yourself having difficulty with the material in a specific section.

Approximately twice a month there will be a short quiz, usually administered during a lecture section.

Late homeworks will not be accepted except under very exceptional circumstances. Likewise, no late quizzes will be given. At the end of the semester, I will drop your lowest homework and your lowest quiz grade.

Grading Policy:

Grades will be computed according to the following percentages:

The first midterm letter grades.

The second midterm letter grades.

No make-up exams will be given. If a midterm exam is missed because of a serious (documented) illness or emergency, your semester grade will be determined on the basis of other work done in the course. Exams missed for other reasons will be counted as failures.

Resources: If you have questions regarding the course material at any time during the semester, you are encouraged to send email, either to myself or to the TA. It is not always easy to explain mathematical concepts via email, however, so if your question is a mathematical one, you should probably ask me in person during my office hours. Another excellent source of help is the Mathematics Learning Center (A-125 in the Physics Building), which is staffed by advanced math majors and graduate students daily. For a schedule of their hours, check their website.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, you are strongly urged to contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services (DSS) office: Room 133 in the Humanities Building; 632-6748/TDD. DSS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Arrangements should be made early in the semester so that your needs can be accommodated.

Schedule of Topics

(Note: This schedule is tentative and may be revised at a later date.)