MATH 308 – Differential Equations
Spring 2016
Texas A&M University
Catalog Description: Ordinary differential equations, solutions in series, solutions using Laplace transforms, systems of differential
equations. Prerequisites: MATH 251 or equivalent; knowledge of computer algebra system.
Minimal Outcome
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 system of linear equations.
Derive qualitative behavior of solutions nonlinear ODEs.
Understand and apply basic numerical methods for solving.
Math 308
Spring 2016
Section 508. Class Time: Tues Thur 08:00 am – 09:15 am, Location: BLOC 128
Section 509. Class Time: Tues Thur 09:35 am – 10:50 am, Location: BLOC 128
Instructor Information:
Instructor:
Aziz Takhirov
Office: Blocker 502A
Office Hours:
Tues Thur 11:00am-12:00am . Also by appointment.
E-mail:
aziz.takhirov@math.tamu.edu. Please include your name and section number in any email you send me.
Check your TAMU email account daily, because this is where class emails will be sent. You are responsible for any
announcements made through email. Do not send any email to aziz.takhirov@tamu.edu.
Webpage:
www.math.tamu.edu/~aziz.takhirov
Required Materials:
Textbook: W.E. Boyce and R.C. DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations. ISBN
Optional textbook: B.R. Hunt, R.L. Lipsman, J.E. Osborn and J.M. Rosenberg,
978-0-470-45832-7.
Differential Equations with
MATLAB.
Calculator Policy: Calculators are not allowed on exams or quizzes.
Course Policies:
Grading:
Final score = (Homework average)*10% + (Quiz average)*10% + (Exam 1 + Exam 2)*25% + (Final Exam)*30%.
Note: There will be no EXTRA CREDIT PROBLEMS.
Final Grade Ranges =>
90 ≤ Final score ≤ 100 =>
80 ≤ Final score < 90 =>
70 ≤ Final score < 80 =>
60 ≤ Final score < 70 =>
Final score < 60 =>
Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Due to FERPA privacy issues, I cannot discuss grades over email or phone. If you have a question about your grade, please come see
me in person. Further, all the assignments and exams must be picked up in my office.
Exams: There will be 2 exams during the semester. These exams are taken during regular class times in BLOC 128. The dates for
the exams:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Thursday, March 3
Thursday, April 14
The exam topics will be announced in class and by email a week before the exams.
Final Exam: The final exam will be a cumulative (comprehensive) exam. The day and time of the final exam are determined by the
university. It is scheduled for
Section 508: May 6, Friday. The exam time is 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
Section 509: May 5, Thursday. The exam time is 12:30 – 2:30 pm.
Quizzes: There will be quizzes every now and then. Usually, at the end of the class on Thursdays lasting 10 mins. The topics and the
dates will be announced in advance in class and by email.
Graded Homework: Homework will be assigned every Thursday and collected a week later, except the week before the exams.
Usually, it consists of 10 problems. Due to the large number of students taking the class, the grader will only grade two problems from
each assignment, each out of 5, as instructed by the instructor. Further, the students will get a point for just doing the each homework
problem. Thus, the total possible is 20 for each assignment.
Some problems will involve some Matlab programming. Students can either ask the instructor or attend Help session for
matlab provided by the department of mathematics, visit
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/calclabhelp.html.
Make-up Policy: Make-up exams will NOT be allowed unless a University approved reason is given to me in writing. Notification
before the absence is required when possible. Otherwise, you must notify me within 2 working days of the missed exam or
assignment to arrange a makeup. See University Student Rules for more guidelines. In all cases where an exam/assignment is missed
due to an injury or illness, whether it be more or less than 3 days, I require a doctor’s note. Further, an absence due to a non-acute
medical service or appointment (such as a regular checkup) is not an excused absence.
Providing a fake or falsified doctor's note is considered academic dishonesty, will be reported to the Aggie Honor Council, and will
result in an F* in the course.
Grade Appeals: If you believe an error has been made in grading, you have until the next class period after the exam or assignment
has been handed back to let me know. Otherwise, you must accept the grade you received.
Help Session and Week in Review: Help sessions are come-and-go times where you can ask questions and get help with your
homework from the student Help Session leaders. Help Sessions meet throughout the week. There are also CalcLab Help Sessions
held throughout the week. Moreover, the Department also offers The Week in Review sessions for students. The Week in Review is a
weekly session led by an instructor to review the topics of the previous week and to provide additional examples. On exam weeks, the
Week in Review will be an Exam Review. For days, times, and locations of various help sessions, visit
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/helpsessions.html
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/weekinreview.html
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/calclabhelp.html
Classroom Respect: Please refrain from using electronic devices other than your calculator during class. Texting and playing on your
phone or computer distracts not only you, but also those around you. If you would like to use a laptop during class to take notes with,
please ask for permission prior to doing so.
Copyright: All printed handouts and web-materials are protected by US Copyright Laws. No multiple copies can be made without
written permission by the instructor.
ADA Policy: 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: Cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Please do not compromise
your integrity for the sake of temporary benefits.
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 more information on academic integrity, see the
Honor Council Rules and Procedures at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor.
Note: As with any math class, it is very important that you keep up with the suggested homework and that you do not fall behind.
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions in class, to come to my office hours, or to send me an e-mail. My goal is not to cram
information into your head, but to help you learn. If you are not understanding the concepts, please ask for help. Don't wait until the
day before an exam to try and grasp the material. There are Week in Reviews and Help Sessions regularly, as well as streaming videos
and other materials online. Please take advantage of these resources.
Tentative Weekly Schedule:
http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math308/308currentsched.html