Mathematics 2280
Intro to Differential Equations
Summer 2009
Class: MTWH 10:00-11:00 am LCB 323.
Instructor: Russ Richins, richins@math.utah.edu, 585-6845,
http://www.math.utah.edu/~richins/teaching/2280/math2280.html
Office: JWB 321. Office hours will be held before regular class time on Tuesday and Thursday from
9:00 to 10:00 am. If these times do not work for you, I will be happy to make an appointment, or you
may stop by and try to find me in my office.
Text: Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modeling, Fourth Edition
by C. Henry Edwards and David E. Penney. If you have the third edition, you can probably get by
with it, but you’ll probably want to make sure you’re doing the same problems as those that have the
fourth edition.
Grading: Your grade will be based on the following:
Weekly Quizzes
In-class tests
Final Exam
30%
40%
30%
The quizzes will be given during the first 10-15 minutes of class each Thursday. Each quiz will consist of
two problems or two parts of the same problem and will be graded out of 10 points. You can drop your
lowest quiz score. The quiz problems will come directly out of the suggested homework for the class.
The list of suggested homework problems is available on the class website. If you are able to do all the
problems about material that has been covered, you should have no problem with the quizzes.
The tests will be held on the following dates:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final
June 18
July 23
TBA
Please take note of the dates of the exams so that you can be present for them. Only in extenuating
circumstances will a test be given outside of these times. If approved, a test may be taken early, but
late tests will only be given in the most extreme circumstances. If a test is given late, it will be in an
oral format, which will make it more difficult. Tests will be similar to the homework and quizzes given
in class. The final will be comprehensive.
Material: We will cover all of chapters 1-7 with the exception of a few sections mostly dealing with
numerical methods. We will finish with a brief introduction to PDE. You should be very familiar with
the methods of differentiation and integration, as well as linear algebra concepts (matrices, eigenvalues,
vector spaces, etc.).
Students with Disabilities: If you will need accomodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to
be given to the instructor and to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Olpin Union Building, 581-5020
(V/TDD) to make arrangements for accomodations.
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