Section 0301 MTH 0405 MWF 10:00-10:50 a.m.
Instructor: Dr. Peter Wolfe
Texts: Elementary Differential Equations,
Seventh Ed. by Boyce & DiPrima.
Differential Equations with
MATLAB by Coombes, Hunt, Lipsman, Osborn & Stuck (SCHOL).
Goals of the course: The goal of MATH 246 is to introduce the student to the basic theory of ordinary differential equations and its applications. We will be using the software system MATLAB as an integral part of the course. We feel that the ability to use MATLAB (or a similar system) is a valuable skill that will serve the student well in more advanced courses and beyond.
Exams and Quizzes: There will be three hour exams; on October 2, October 30 and November 27 and a final exam on December 16. In addition there will be 10 ten minute quizzes (The dates are noted on the syllabus.) Make-ups for hour exams will be given only upon presentation of an acceptable excuse. No make-ups for quizzes will be given.
MATLAB: We will be using the software package MATLAB, a system for doing numerical calculations, symbolic calculations and graphics. We will use MATLAB to symbolically solve differential equations, to numerically solve differential equations, to graph solutions, and to analyze the qualitative nature of solutions. You can access MATLAB in a WAM lab, in a GLUE lab, or on your own PC, if you have the student version of MATLAB. You will need MATLAB, Version 5.0 or higher. In the WAM and GLUE Labs, MATLAB 6.0 is on the Sun workstations and PC's. The Student Version is available in the bookstores and on the MathWorks website . For help with MATLAB, this link will take you to the software info page of the Mathematics Department SOFTWARE .
Introduction to MATLAB: Here is a short introduction to
MATLAB that can be downloaded in either pdf or postscript format.
Click here for
postscript . Click here for pdf .
Homework: There will be five MATLAB assignments from the SCHOL book. The first (Assignment A) will be handed in but not graded. The other four will be graded. These should be done in teams of two or three students, with each team handing in one paper. In addition there will be daily assignments from Boyce & DiPrima (not to be handed in). These will be discussed at the beginning of the next class. Students will be responsible for all problems. All assignments are listed on the syllabus.
Grading: The grades will be based on the following: Hour Exams 45%, Quizzes 10% (The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.), MATLAB assignments 20%, Final Exam 25%. However, grades may be adjusted upwards on the basis of (a) improvement over the semester or (b) an exceptionally good final exam.