Spring 2005

MATH 3303: Ordinary Differential Equations

MWF 09:00 am - 09:50 am, Boyd Building Room 303

Textbook: Differential Equations with Boundary-Value Problems, Sixth Edition, by Dennis G. Zill and Michael R. Cullen, Brooks-Cole Publishing Company, 2004.

Instructor: Dr. Van Minh Nguyen                   Office: Boyd Building 319

Phone: 678-839-4130                                       E-mail: vnguyen@westga.edu

Office Hours:  MWF 10:00AM-12:00 PM, W: 2:00-3:00PM
                         T: 2:00-4:00 PM (Math Lab), or by appointment
Website of the course: www.westga.edu/~vnguyen/S05-3303.htm

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the subject of differential equations and has three components:

1. Existence theory and classical methods for first order equations (chapters 1&2)
2. Real life applications and the theory of linear equations (chapters 3&4)
3. Techniques and methods for solving general linear equations: operator method, power series, systems of linear equations and an introduction to the Laplace transform (chapters 6, 7&8).

We shall use the computer algebra system Maple for symbolic computations and for its linear algebra and integral transforms packages.

Learning Outcomes: the student will be able:

-To identify and classify a differential equation

-To decide whether a solution is unique, and to find its domain of existence

-To solve first order equations by classical methods

-To model a simple process and determine its evolution for large time

-To solve an inhomogeneous equation using undetermined coefficients or variation of parameters

-To find power series solutions of linear equations with analytic coefficients

-To solve systems of linear equations by methods of linear algebra

-To use computer resources to solve ordinary differential equations symbolically

Grading procedure:

Quizzes: There will be 7-8 quizzes. The best 5 quizzes will count. Each is worth 10 points.

Tests: There will be two in-class tests and two take-home tests worth 100 points each. Take-home tests are supposed to be completed individually. The lowest test will be dropped.

Final exam is worth 150 points.

Test and Quiz Policy: 

No make-up tests or quizzes will be given.  Missed tests and quizzes get grade of 0.

Grading:  The final letter grade will be determined by the following scale:

A   = 450 – 500, B   = 400 - 449, C   = 350-399, D  = 300 - 349,  F   =  below  300

Attendance: 6 absences lead to WF.

Homework: This is an important part of the course. There will be no homework assignments to be handed in. However, at the end of most classes you will be given a list of problems – these are the minimum that you should work. Some of these problems will be gone over in the next class session and some will be included into the in-class tests. Practice is important. You should make sure to set aside some time every class day to work problems.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend every class. Although absences are not penalized, if a class is missed, the student is responsible for all material and assignments.

Academic Honesty:    Students are expected to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and excellence as described in the Undergraduate Catalog. In short, be responsible and do your own work.  

Important Dates:

Friday, Feb. 11	Test 1
Monday, Mar. 7	Test 2
Friday, April 1	Test 3
Wednesday, April 20	Test 4