Math246 - Ordinary Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers

Lectures: MWF 9:00am-9:50am ( MATH 0304 )
Instructor: Georg Dolzmann ( dolzmann@math.umd.edu)
Office: 4101 Phone: 405-5066
Office hours: MW 11-12, Th 2-3, or by appointment
Class web page: www.math.umd.edu/~dolzmann/Math246/math246.html
Text: Elementary Differential Equations, 7th ed., by W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima, John Wiley&Sons, 2001

Differential Equations with MATLAB by K. R. Coombes, B. R. Hunt, R. L. Lipsman, J. E. Osborn, and G. J. Stuck, John Wiley&Sons, 2000

This course is an introduction to the basic methods of solving ordinary differential equations. The material covered includes equations of first and second order, linear differential equations, Laplace transforms, numerical methods and the qualitative theory of differential equations. All sections will use MATLAB.
Tentative Schedule: Ch. 1: Introduction (1 lecture)
Ch. 2: First Order Differential Equations (7 lectures)
Ch. 8: Numerical Methods (4 lectures)
Ch. 3: Second Order Differential Equations (10 lectures)
Ch. 6: The Laplace Transform (3 lectures)
Ch. 7: Systems of First Order (10 lectures)
Ch. 9: Nonlinear Differential Equations and Stability (4 lectures)
Graphics calculators: You may use calculators for solving homework problems. However, neither calculators nor computers will be allowed during examinations.
Prerequisites: MATH 141; and any one of the following: MATH 240 or ENES 102 or PHYS 161 or PHYS 171. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: MATH 246 or MATH 341.
Homework: Homework problems from the text book (Boyce and DiPrima) will be assigned throughout the course, but they will not be graded or collected.
Matlab homework will be collected and graded. There will be four MATLAB assignments, based on problem sets B, C, D, and F. Problem set A, which familiarizes students with MATLAB will be collected, but not graded. In case that you do not have a GLUE or WAM account you should apply for one as soon as possible.

Homework problems and due dates
Tutoring: Please see the MATLAB tutoring schedule for available tutors. The Office of Information Technology sponsors peer training classes in MATLAB. You can find their schedule on the web.
Quizzes, Exams, and Final Exam: There will be three 50min exams throughout the course and one final examination at the end of the term. The 50min exams focus mainly on the new material, but the final exam is cumulative. The lowest scoring midterm counts only 50%. Absolutely no make-up exams will be given. If you have to miss one of the exams and you have a written excuse according to the University Policies, then you will be given 66% extra credit on the final.

Quizzes (possibly unannounced) will be given throughout the term (expect a quiz every second week). They will be based on the homework problems of the foregoing weeks. There will be absolutely no make-up quizzes. The lowest scoring quiz will be dropped.

The MathNet Test Bank contains a lot of exams from previous terms that are excellent material to practice for upcoming examinations.
Test dates (tentatively): Exam 1: Wednesday, October 1; solutions as pdf-file
Exam 2: Monday, October 27; solutions as pdf-file
Exam 3: Friday, December 5; solutions as pdf-file
Final examination: Monday, December 15, 1:30-3:30 PM in MATH 0105
Grading: Quizzes: 10%
Matlab: 10%
50min exams: 20% each, total 50%
Final exam: 30%
Academic integrity: All students are expected to respect the Academic Integrity and the Honor Pledge.
Religious observances: If your religion dictates that you cannot take an exam or hand in assigned work on a particular date, then contact me at the beginning of the semester to discuss alternatives. You are responsible for making these arrangements at the beginning of the semester.
Disabilities: If you have some disability related to testing under the usual timed, in-class conditions, you may contact the office of Disabled Students Services (DSS) in Shoemaker. If they assess you as meriting private conditions and/or extra time, then you may arrange to take your tests at DSS, with extra time as they indicate. You must arrange this well in advance of a test (in particular: no retakes). Click Disability Support Services for further information.