WELCOME TO MATH 238
THE STUDY OF MODELING DYNAMIC
AND
STATIC APPLICATIONS
Fall 2010
INSTRUCTOR: LAURA MOORE-MUELLER
Math 238 (5 credits)
Section: A (Item 6627) Daily: 11:00 - 11:50
How to contact me:
Instructor: Laura Moore-Mueller (Laura or Ms. Moore-Mueller)
Office: SMT 326
Email: LMoore-Mueller@greenriver.edu
Phone: (253) 833-9111 ext.4444
Web Site: http://www.instruction.greenriver.edu/lmmueller
Office Hours: Daily 8:00 - 8:50 OR by appointment
Fax: (253)-288 - 3464
Mailbox: My mailbox is located on the third floor of SMT behind the building secretary.
TEXT: A FIRST COURSE IN Differential Equations with Modeling Applications, 9th Ed.
by Dennis G. Zill.
TECHNOLOGY: A working knowledge of Maple is required for completion of the course. I will
be providing handouts as needed for your use.
INTRODUCTION: Welcome to Differential Equations!!! In my opinion, this is the most useful
of all of your calculus courses for actually solving typical engineering, physics, chemistry, or other
scientific problems. Along with the actual techniques for solving differential equations will be
the theory of differential equations as well as exploring alternative techniques of solution when
necessary. This course satisfies quantitative skills or math/science distribution requirement for
the AA degree.
PREREQUISITE: The prerequisite for this class is Math& 254 (formerly Math 224) with a
grade of 2.0 or higher or instructor’s permission.
WAMAP Website: http://wamap.org
WAMAP Course ID: 2340
WAMAP Enrollment Key: diffeq
GOALS: Students will demonstrate the ability to
1. Work cooperatively in groups: respect others’ ways of thinking, have confidence in your own
knowledge, share information, pool knowledge, and listen effectively.
2. Understand, interpret and communicate effectively orally and in written form.
3. Develop problem-solving skills: recognize the applicability of previously learned solutions to
new problems, recognize and apply reverse reasoning (given the answer, what is the question),
and develop an individual problem solving strategy.
4. Define the general characteristics of differential equations.
5. Calculate numerical techniques of solving differential equations.
6. Solve first order differential equations, including separable, exact and linear equations.
7. Solve systems of linear and nonlinear differential equations.
8. Solve higher order differential equations, including homogeneous and non-homogeneous
equations.
9. Utilize direction fields and numerical methods to solve differential equations.
10. Solve differential equations using Laplace transforms.
11. Solve initial and boundary value problems.
12. Model real-world problems using differential equations.
CAMPUS-WIDE OUTCOMES: Green River Community College has identified ability areas that
we believe encompass knowledge and are the most important skills, behaviors, attitudes, and
values that students will need in order to be successful after leaving the college. Among these
ability areas, this class will address Responsibility, Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning, Critical
Thinking, and Written & Oral Communications. You will be assessed on these outcomes through
classroom participation, tests and a project.
OPERATING RULES:





All cell phones, beepers and other noise- or text-makers will be turned off during class.
You should know that GRCC policy officially prohibits the answering of pagers and cellular
phones during class periods. This includes text-messaging. Although your instructor
understands that emergencies may occasionally arise when sick family members or other
crises are concerned, a repeated pattern of classroom interruption by electronic gadgets
will be considered grounds for discipline.
Any disruptive behavior will not be tolerated as this detracts from the learning
environment; this includes arriving late to class.
You have a responsibility to learn the material and I have a responsibility to teach the
material. To make this happen your attendance and participation in class discussions is
mandatory.
Remember that the only dumb questions are the ones not asked!
No cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated. Consequences range from receiving 0.0 on the
assignment to receiving 0.0 for the class. In other words, academic honesty is expected.
EXPECTATIONS: My expectations are fairly simple and direct:
I expect you to participate fully in the class and in your own learning. This means being in class,
on time, and completing all assignments. Collaborative learning in all its forms (group projects,
study groups, etc.) is expected. Assignments are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise
noted. Late assignments will be handled as follows:
 If the assignment is received by 2 PM of the day it is due you will receive 80% of the
final score.
 If the assignment is received by 2 PM of the following day, you will receive 50% of the
final score.
 After 2 PM of the following day, any assignments will be corrected but will receive a
score of zero.
ASSESSMENT: Points will be assigned as follows:
Points
0
1
2
3
3.5
4
5
Work
No attempt or no correct ideas
Answer with no supporting work, or attempt with a correct idea
Some correct ideas
Half correct ideas
Concept is correct with errors in work
Mostly correct ideas (small mistake that is not conceptual)
Perfection (correct answer with correct work)
Homework: Homework will be collected every few days. You will need to complete the
assignment and turn it in on the due date. Questions on homework problems will be discussed in
class the day before the due date. I will be grading a random set of one to two problems per
assignment. These problems take a considerable amount of time to complete; be sure to allow
yourself enough time to do each assignment. Please feel free to come to my office for help
and/or for a quick look at the answer book. Also included in this category are any activities done
in class. I will drop the lowest score from this category.
Tests: Refer to the calendar to see on which day a test will be given. All tests with the
exception of the final exam will be given in the Testing and Assessment Center (TAC) in the
Welcome Center. The TAC is open from 8:00AM - 7:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM –
4:00 PM on Friday and 8:00 AM - noon Saturday. There will be no class held at the regular times
on these days. I will be available for questions in my office during class time on test days. If an
emergency occurs and you are unable to take a test, you must call or e-mail me by 8:00 AM the
day of the test. You will be allowed one make-up test for the quarter.
Project: More information on this group project will be coming to you. You will need to give an
oral presentation and a written paper on a subject in differential equations, which relates to your
chosen field. Start thinking about this NOW! Talk to your engineering, biology, chemistry,
physics or computer science instructors for ideas.
Final: Your final exam will be in class on Thursday, December 9, 2010 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM..
Grades will be weighted as follows:
Homework
10%
Project
15%
Tests
50%
Final Exam
25%
DECIMAL GRADING: Numerical grades will be assigned based on your overall percentage earned in
the class (according to the afore mentioned weighting). You will be able to check your grades on
WAMAP. Directions for signing into WAMAP will be handed out the first week of class.
% earned
Grade
%
Gr.
%
Gr.
%
Gr.
%
Gr.
%
Gr.
96 – 100%
4.0
89%
3.4
83%
2.8
77%
2.2
71%
1.6
65%
1.0
94 – 95%
3.9
88%
3.3
82%
2.7
76%
2.1
70%
1.5
93%
3.8
87%
3.2
81%
2.6
75%
2.0
69%
1.4
92%
3.7
86%
3.1
80%
2.5
74%
2.0
68%
1.3
91%
3.6
85%
3.0
79%
2.4
73%
1.8
67%
1.2
90%
3.5
84%
2.9
78%
2.3
72%
1.7
66%
1.1
64% AND BELOW: 0.0
SPECIAL NEEDS: If you need course adaptations or special accommodations because of a disability, if
you have emergency medical information, or if you have special accommodations that need to be shared with
me in the event that the building needs to be evacuated, please contact me at extension 4444 or in my
office (SMT 326) as soon as possible. If you use an alternate medium for communication, please let me
know before class so that appropriate accommodations can be made.
AN INVITATION: If you have any questions about the course the assignments; or have any
problems with due dates or your grade; or just want to talk, PLEASE make an appointment to see me during
office hours or at an arranged time. Remember that if my door is open you are always welcome to come in!
MATH 238 – Fall 2010 Tentative Calendar
WK
S
E
P
T
1
O
C
T
O
2
B
E
R
3
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
September 20
1.1
21
1.1
27
1.2/1.3
Thursday
22
1.1
28
1.3
29
1.2
30
2.1
5
6
24
October 1
2.1
7
8
TEST 1
2.2
4
2.2
5
2.3
11
2.3/2.4
12
2.4/2.5
18
Inservice Day
No day classes
6
19
N
O
V
E
7
M
B
E
R
8
2.3
14
2.5
20
2.5
21
9.1/9.2
26
3.2
27
28
3.3
2
3
4.1
4
9
9
4.3
4.6
10
10
4.4
15
4.6
22
11
7.1
23
24
5.1
12
30
Presentations
5.1
6
Study Day
No day classes
7
Final Exams
26
Holiday
No Classes
2
3
Review
5.2
8
Final Exams
19
7.1
25
Thanksgiving
No classes
December 1
Presentations
5.2
12
Last day for
P/NC
4.9
18
PROJECTS
DUE
7.2
29
Presentations
11
Veteran’s Day
17
TEST 4
7.2
4.2
4.8
16
5
TEST 3
No day classes
8
29
4.1
Advising Day
4.3
22
9.2
3.2/3.3
1
4.1
15
TEST 2
25
3.1
13
2.5
2.6
D
E
C
23
1.1/1.2
1.3/2.1
4
Friday
9
10
FINAL EXAM
Winter Qtr
11AM – 1PM
In-service Day
***This schedule is tentative and subject to changes (announced in class) as needed.***
HOMEWORK PROBLEMS FOR MATH 238
Section
Problems
§1.1
§1.2
§1.3
2,6,9,11,19,25,29,32,33,36,50,51,54,55,57,59 (CAS)
2, 4, 7, 12, 17, 21, 25, 29, 35-38
2, 5,7,10,14,18 (opt.),23,21,24,27,31
§2.1
§2.2
§2.3
§2.4
§2.5
§2.6
1, 4, 8, 11, 19, 21, 25, 40
4, 8, 16, 17, 26, 32,35 - 38, 50
5, 8, 10, 11, 17, 22, 27, 28, 32, 47
4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 23, 27, 29, 32, 45
3, 6, 12, 16, 19, 24, 33, 35, 37
2(use y(0.5), 6, 9
§9.1
§9.2
4, 6, 9
6,8,11
§3.1
§3.2
§3.3
4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 23 - 25, 38, 44, 45
1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24
4, 7, 9, 10(a & c), 15
§4.1
§4.2
§4.3
§4.4
§4.6
§4.7
§4.8
§4.9
2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 20, 26, 30, 31, 39
3, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19
10, 11, 17, 19, 26, 34, 35, 39, 43-48, 49, 55(CAS), 59(CAS)
2, 6, 8, 15, 19 ,27, 34, 38, 41
2, 9, 22
4, 6, 11, 23, 32, 35, 37
2, 6, 14, 21, 23
1, 5, 12, 13, 16, 17, 21(opt.)
§5.1
§5.2
§5.3
3,10,11,13/17,20,23,27/30,33,38/45,48,53 (as time allows)
2, 4
2,3,5,10,14
§7.1
§7.2
2, 8, 13, 16, 22, 32
8, 18, 31, 34, 37, 40
These problems represent a fair amount of work; however, in order to understand and be
proficient in solving differential equations this work is necessary. I recommend working several
of the discussion problems at the end of each section which also aid the understanding of the
concepts.