MA 221 L & M
Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra I
Fall, 1999-2000
3rd and 1st Periods
Crapo Hall, G-219 and G-310
Instructor: R. G. Lautzenheiser
Office: Crapo Hall, G-309
Telephone: ext 8394
Office Hours: Posted on my door
Email: roger.lautzenheiser@rose-hulman.edu
Your numerical grade will be determined by the different parts of the course
listed below. Your letter grade will then be based on a scale very close to
the 90-80-70-60 scale. Plus (+) grades are often given as a reward for doing
better on the final than your numerical score would indicate (e.g. your
numerical score is 73 but your final exam score was 85% - probably your
letter grade would be C+).
I. Daily Homework (5 %). The homework will be posted on our class web
page (from my personal web page, click on courses and then MA221 for the
fall of 1999-2000). For the most part, the homework will not be graded. I
will simply keep track of the number of homework problems that you turn
in. Occasionally, I will ask the grader to grade a problem or two. Your
numerical score for this part will be MIN{(H/(0.90*Total))*5,5}, where H is
your homework grade and Total is the total number of homework points.
The homework is due at the beginning of the class period; use 8 ½ x 11
paper (color does not matter) and put your name, mailbox #, and assignment
# in the upper right hand corner. Absolutely no late homework will be
accepted!! Don’t even ask!!!
II. Quizzes (20%). These will be graded. They may be short or long, with
Maple or without Maple, announced or unannounced, in-class or takehome,
individual or group. Indeed, there may be short quizzes over the assigned
reading. Your numerical score for this part will be
MIN{(Q/(0.95*Total))*20,20}, where Q is your total quiz score and Total is
the total number of quiz points. There will be no make-up quizzes. If you
have a legitimate excuse for missing a quiz, I will give you the percentage
that you get on the final exam as the makeup score.
III. In class exams. Each will count 25%. Exam 1 will probably be given
during the 5th week and Exam 2 during the 9th week. I do not give make-up
exams. If you have a legitimate excuse for missing an exam, I will give you
the percentage that you get on the final exam as the makeup score.
IV. Final Exam (25%).
PLEASE NOTE
 I have no control over when the final exam is given. If you have a
conflict and I need to change the date of the MA221 exam for a particular
individual, the new date will be AFTER the scheduled date of the exam
for MA221.
 I do not accept any late homework. It is due at the beginning of class.
Note that I will use 90% of the total number of homework problems to
determine your homework grade, so you can miss a few and there will be
no penalty.
 I do NOT give makeup quizzes or exams!!!! If you have a legitimate
excuse for missing a quiz or exam, I will give you the percentage that
you get on the final exam as the makeup score.
Classroom Rules
1) Everyone should be respectful of everyone else.
2) Attendance: I expect you to be in class (and not late). Please see Rose’s
policy on absences.
3) Please do not annoy me or others during the class period – e.g. reading
the thorn, finishing a paper for another class, talking continuously etc etc
4) Use of the laptop must be related to this class (e.g. working on the
worksheet of the day or a quiz…). Each violation of this policy (e.g.
playing games, listening to music, using the network, updating your
operating system or…) will result in an automatic loss of one letter grade
for the course. I will also send a letter to your academic advisor and the
dean. I simply do not put up with anyone using the computer when an
explanation is taking place or when someone is answering a question.
5) Unless I give you permission, you are not allowed to connect your laptop
to the network. Most of the Maple documents that we will be using are
in a directory which you should download to your hard drive.
6) In fact, there will be days when we do not use the computer. This
information will be on our web page.
7) Always willing to add more…..