Title: Differential Equations
Sections: 0801, 0901
Instructor: Professor Joel M. Cohen

Office: MTH 2313
Email: jmc@math.umd.edu
Telephone: (301)405-5109, Home phone: (202)546-1823.
Class Time: MWF 1-1:50 (0801), MWF 2-2:50 (0901)
Location:Math 0103

Prerequisite: Math 141
Book: Elementary Differential Equations (Seventh Edition), by Boyce & DiPrima
Differential Equations with Matlab (Second Edition), by Coombes, Hunt, Lipsman,Osborn & Stuck.
 
 

Office Hours: MWF 12 - 1 p.m. Occasionally, it may be necessary to change this time, so let me know if you are planning to see me. You can also send me email. I will answer queries as quickly as possibleduring office hours, and as time permits otherwise.
 

Web Posting:  If you have given written permission to post yourgrades under an alias, you may check the grades by clicking here:
MWF 1-1:50(0801)
MWF 2-2:50(0901)
 

Sample tests:  Sample tests are available by clicking here.
 

Schedule

Homework
 

    This course is an introduction to the basic methods of solving and analyzing ordinary differential  equations. In additional to the traditional pencil and paper approach, we will use Matlab as a tool for studying differential equations.   Since the studyof differential equations depends heavily on concepts from calculus, youmust have a firm grasp of the basic elements of calculus, including differentiationand integration.

    You should plan to spend at least three hoursworking on Math 246 outside of class for every class. That translates into nine hours a week outside of class. If other obligations prevent you from committing that much time to the course, you should consider waiting until some lighter semester to take Math 246.
 
 

Homework:  Homework will be due each class. Each day's homework assignment will be based on what is covered in class that day, and will be due the following class.  If the assignment is not clear, make sure to ask before leaving the classroom!  Homework problems are listed below.  The answers to many problems can be found at the back of the text.  Exam questions will occasionally be taken directly from the homework, and more often will be only slight variations of the homework.  Homework problems will be discussed in class on request.

Matlab: The Mathematical software package Matlab is an important element of the course.  Matlab is a commercial software package used extensively by professional scientists, engineers, mathematicians, financial analysts, etc. We will use Matlab as an aid in graphing solutions of differential equations, analyzing the qualitative nature of solutions to differentialequations, and examining numerical solutions of differential equations.The textbook Differential Equations with Matlab contains instructionsfor using Matlab.  There will be four Matlab assignments to be handed in for grading. You will also hand in a mandatory but ungraded practice assignment - Problem Set A.  Material related to the Matlab problem sets may appear on exams.  Here are some suggestions for the assignments from the grader:
1.Projects should be formatted on a word processor ( Microsoft Word is a convenient one).
2.The file that should be formatted is the diary file that you create after running your m-file. All superfluous error messages and unsuccessful attempts should be erased. (Note: Some error messages are important as can be seen  in problem 11(a) of the first Assignment).
3.Graphs can be copied to a Word document, so graphs should appear with the specific problems, and not be printed individually and stapled at the end of the project. (Refer to page 43 of the SCHOL text)
4.Sections of the m-file should appear in the printed document where necessary.  For example, if you are asked to print a graph of several solutions to the same ODE, make sure to insert the pertinent m-file for the problem. This will help me understand how you arrived at your graph.
THIS IS A PROJECT, NOT A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT -- PRESENTATION COUNTS
REMEMBER THAT YOUR PROCESS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR ANSWER

There is a Matlab tutor (see below).   There is also peertraining at http://www.inform.umd.edu/CompRes/Training/Peer_Training/ .

Collaboration: I encourage you to work together in small groups (3-5 students) on the Matlab problem sets, and to hand in a single solution to the problem set with the names of all group members on the problem set. You will save yourself a lot of time and frustration by working in a group.

Grading: A total of 650 points is available in the course, allocated as follows:

    1.  Three 50 minute in-class exams, each worth 100 points.  The lowest grade will count for half.  In accordance with University policy, makeup exams will only be given for LEGITIMATE and DOCUMENTED absences.
    2.  Four Matlab assignments, each worth 25 points.
    3.  A homework grade worth 100 points. There will be no makeups.  Excused absences will not be counted but the two or three lowest grades will be dropped.
    4.  A final exam on December 16, 1:30-3:30.  Room to be announced.
 
 

Quality: The quality of presentation of solutions will be taken seriously in this course in the grading of tests and Matlab assignments.

Tutor: The differential equations Matlab tutoring schedule can be found at
www.math.umd.edu/undergrad/246241Tutorf01.htm

A tentative schedule of exams, lectures, and Matlab assignmentsfollows.
 
 

§ May be changed during the course of the semester. The Math 246WEBPAGE (www.math.umd.edu/~jmc/246yr.html) will be kept up-to-date as changesare made.