MATH 308 – Differential Equations
FALL 2014, SECTIONS 514, 517
Instructor’s Information
Instructor: Paul Skoufranis
E-mail: pskoufra at math.tamu.edu
Office: Blocker 525D
Offices Hours: Mondays 1:30 to 2:30PM, Tuesdays 2:10PM to 3:40PM, Wednesdays 1:00PM to 2:00PM
and by appointment
Administrative Information
Course Prerequisites: MATH 221, MATH 251, or MATH 253, or concurrent enrolment
Course Webpage: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~pskoufra/F2014-MATH308.html
Common Course Webpage: http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math308/
Lectures: Section 514 à 3:55 to 5:10 Tuesdays (in Blocker 113) and Thursdays (in Blocker 133)
Section 517 à 12:45 to 2:00 Tuesdays (in Blocker 163) and Thursdays (in Blocker 133)
Week in Review: Wednesdays from 7:30PM to 9:30PM in Blocker 166 by Dr. Steinhauer
Helps Sessions: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 7:30PM to 10:00 PM in Blocker 117
Textbook: (required; electronic copy already paid through course fees) Elementary Differential
Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Custom TAMU edition, W.E. Boyce and R.C. DiPrima
(optional) Differntial Equations with Maple, 3rd edition, B.R. Hunt, L.J. Lardy, R.L. Lipsman, J.E.
Osborn, J.M. Rosenberg
Midterm Examination Dates: Midterm One à Thursday October 9, 2014, in class
Midterm Two à Thursday November 13, 2014, in class
Final Examination Dates: Section 514 à Tuesday December 16, 2014, 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Section 517 à Wednesday December 17, 2014, 8:00AM to 10:00AM
Course Description and Objectives
This course will introduce students to ordinary differential equations and their applications to physics
and engineering. We will begin by studying first order differential equations and the various techniques
to solve such equations (e.g. separation, integrating factors, etc.). Expanding on this, we will examine
second order linear differential equations, progressively building techniques for solving such equations.
Subsequently, we will develop some basic Fourier Analysis and the Laplace transform as an additional
technique for solving differential equations. We will then progress by studying systems of differential
equations using linear algebra. Time permitting, we will examine additional topics such as solutions via
power series, numerical methods, and nonlinear differential equations.
A student taking this course will learn multiple methods for solving ordinary differential equations and
many applications of differential equations to physics and engineering. As a learning aid, we will use the
mathematical program Maple. Questions involving Maple may appear on homework assignments but
will not appear on examinations.
Course Schedule
See common course webpage for a rough of the timeline for this course.
Grading Scheme
A student’s final grade in the course will be the maximum of the following two computations:
20% Homework + 40% Midterms (20% Each) + 40% Final Examination
20% Homework + 25% Best Midterm + 55% Final Examination
A student’s final letter grade will be determined by the rule 90-100 for an A, 80-89 for a B, 70-79 for a C,
60-69 for a D, 0-59 for an F. To pass the course, a student must take the final examination.
Homework
The purpose of the homework in this course is to aid students in the comprehension of the material
presented in lecture each week. Thus the instructor will endeavour to provide students with a sufficient
amount of time after the material is presented in lecture for completion of the homework.
There will be eleven homework assignments in this course where the lowest grade will not count
towards a student’s final grade. Homework will be posted on the course webpage at least one week prior
to the due date. Homework will be due at the beginning of the lecture section on the due date and late
homework will not be accepted. Students are expected to clearly indicate their names and student ID
number on their homework. Solutions to the homework will generally not be posted but a student may
ask the instructor for a solution to any question on a past homework assignment. Not every question on
each homework assignment will be graded, but a portion of the grade will be for completion.
Students are welcome to collaborate with each other on the homework. However, each student must
write his or her solutions separately in their own words (no copying). For questions involving Maple,
students may either submit a printed copy or a sketch of their work in Maple.
Regrading
A student that believes there has been an error in the grading of their work should bring it to the attention
of the instructor within one week from the time at which the work was returned to the class. Objections
that arise after this one week period will not be considered.
Academic Integrity
“An Aggie does not, lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do."
Copying work done by others, either in-class or out of class, is an act of scholastic dishonesty and will be
prosecuted to the full extent allowed by University policy. See http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu for more
information.
Make-up Policy
In accordance with university regulations, make-ups for missed exams and assignments will only be
allowed for a university-approved excuse in writing. Whenever possible, students should inform the
instructor before an exam or assignment is missed. Students are required to notify the instructor by the
end of the next working day after missing an exam or assignment. Otherwise, they forfeit their rights to a
make-up.
Support Services
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, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For
additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.