MATH 3303: Ordinary Differential Equations:

 Spring 2003

 

Instructor: 

          Dr. A. Boumenir, Boyd 316

Phone: 770-836-4348 or E-mail:  boumenir@westga.edu

Office hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00-13:00 or by appointment

 

Textbook:

                        D. G. Zill, A First Course in Differential Equations The Classic Fifth Edition, Brooks, 2001.

 

 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. (chaps 1&2)

2.        Real life applications and the theory of linear equations (chaps 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 (chaps 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  (L1, L5, L8)

¨        To decide whether a solution is unique and find its domain of existence (L1, L2)

¨        To solve first order equations by classical methods (L1, L8)

¨        To model a simple process and determine its evolution for large time (L8, L9)

¨        To solve a linear equation with constant coefficients by finding the characteristic roots. (L1, L8)

¨        To solve an inhomogeneous equation using undetermined coefficients or variation of parameter (L1, L8, L9)

¨        To find power series solutions of linear equations with analytic coefficients (L1, L8, L9)

¨        To solve systems of linear equations by methods of linear algebra (L1, L8, L9)

¨        To use computer resources to solve ordinary differential equations symbolically (L8, L9)

Quizzes: 

Weekly quizzes are given on Mondays, and they usually cover questions from the homework.  Each quiz counts 20 points towards your final grade and the best 10 Quizzes are counted.

Tests:

There will be three 1 hour tests worth 100 points each:

Test 1: Monday February 10rd, Test 2: Monday March 10th, Test 3: Monday April 14th.

 

Final Exam:           The final exam is comprehensive, and is Friday, May 2, 11 am-1 pm and counts 200 points towards your final grade.

 

Evaluation:            Tests 3x100 points + Quizzes 10x20 points + Final 200 points =  700points.

Grades:                  F=[0,420),  D=[420, 490),  C=[490, 560),   B=[560, 630),  A=[630, 700].

                               

W Deadline:          February 27th  is the last day to withdraw with grade of W.

Attendance:          8 absences lead to WF.

 

Recommendation:

Seek knowledge!  Ask questions; feel free to stop by my office at any time during office hours or make an appointment to see me.