Texas A&M University, Spring 2016
SYLLABUS: MATH 308 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Instructor information
Instructor: Dr. Sara Pollock
snpolloc@math.tamu.edu
Website: www.math.tamu.edu/∼snpolloc/math308
Office hours: posted on website
Lecture
Class times and locations
Monday, Wednesday
Location
518
4:10-5:25pm
Blocker 512A.
Blocker 133
Textbook
Required Text: Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, (Custom TAMU edition), W.E. Boyce and R.C. DiPrima, ISBN: 9781119124788.
Access to an electronic version of the required course text will be available to you, and has been included in the course fees: you do not need to purchase
an additional print version (although you may if you like).
Optional Text: Differential Equations with Matlab, (Second edition), B. Hunt,
R. Lipsman, J. Osborn and J. Rosenberg, ISBN: 9780471718123. No problems will
be assigned from the optional text.
Course description and prerequisites
Description: (3 credits), Ordinary differential equations, solutions in series,
solutions using Laplace transforms, systems of differential equations.
Prerequisites: MATH 251 or equivalent; knowledge of computer algebra system.
Learning outcomes
This course is to provide students with quantitative and problem-solving skills
for first order, linear second order and systems of linear differential equations. At
the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
• Understand the concepts of solution, initial value problem and direction field.
• Solve first order linear differential equations.
• Solve second order homogeneous and non-homogeneous linear ODEs.
• Solve systems of linear equations.
• Derive qualitative behavior of solutions of nonlinear ODEs.
• Understand and apply basic numerical methods for approximating solutions.
Date: January 15, 2016.
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SYLLABUS: MATH 308
Grading policy
Grades will be calculated according to the following percentages:
Quiz Average
Midterm 1:
Midterm2:
Final exam:
Total:
30%
20%
20%
30%
100%
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
<60%
A
B
C
D
F
In addition, an optional Matlab project will be assigned, and if completed the
grade will be used to replace the lowest 10% listed above (if this helps).
Example: Suppose a student scores 85% on midterm 1, 60% on midterm 2, has
a quiz average of 85% after dropping the two lowest quizzes, and scores 80% on the
final exam. This hypothetical student also did the optional matlab assignment with
a score of 90%. Then this student’s grade will be computed as: 30% quiz average,
20% midterm 1, 10% midterm 2, 30% final exam, and 10% matlab project.
Quizzes, homework and Matlab
Quizzes: will be given most weeks, either in class or as a take-home quiz to be
returned the following class. The two lowest quiz grades will be dropped. Quizzes
may only be made up with a valid university excused absence if more than two
are missed. I appreciate there are many other valid reasons for missing class and
possibly a quiz, and that is why the two lowest quiz grades will be dropped when
your grade is calculated.
Homework: will be assigned weekly and posted on the course website. The
homework is not collected except in the case of take-home quizzes, and then it will
be explicitly announced; however, quiz questions may be taken directly from the
homework (numbers may be changed), and regularly doing the homework is essential to doing well in the class.
Exams: We will have two in-class midterms and a final exam. The final will
be cumulative. The midterm dates are posted on the course calendar found on the
class website.
Class policies
Attendance: It is in your best interest to attend lectures.
Calculators: No calculators on in-class quizzes and exams!! We may
have some quizzes and homework problems where you are allowed and expected to
use Matlab.
Cell phones: Please don’t use your cell phone during class. Phones and all
electronic devices should be turned off during exams.
SYLLABUS: MATH 308
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Make-up/late work: Make-up work is allowed only when written evidence of
an official University excused absence is provided (see section 7.1 of the student
rules at http://studentrules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm). If a student is going to miss an
in-class exam, notification in writing (acknowledged email is acceptable) prior to the
date of the absence is required. In cases where this is not feasible, the student must
provide documentation by the end of the second working day after the absence. If
these conditions are met, then the percentage grade earned on the final exam will
be substituted for a missed exam. This option is available only once. No make-up
quizzes will be given as the two lowest quiz grades will be dropped. In the case of a
University excused absence on a day when a take-home quiz is due, please contact
the instructor and make arrangements to turn in the quiz.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute
that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.
Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be
guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of
their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services
building at the Student Services at White Creek complex on west campus or call
979-845-1637. For additional information, visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Academic Integrity Statement and Policy
Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated!! Aggie Honor Code: An Aggie does
not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do. Upon accepting admission to
Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold
the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy
and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment
on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules
does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements
or the processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit:
http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/.
Additional resources
Help sessions: Math Department help sessions are an opportunity for you to
ask questions and get help with your homework. A link to the schedule for fall help
sessions will be posted on the class website when it is available. You can come at
any point during the help session and leave whenever you want.
E-mail address: snpolloc@math.tamu.edu
Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
77843