Syllabus for Math 237, Section 001, CRN 50554
Instructor: Alex Freire (PhD 1988, at U.T.K. since 1991)
Office: Ayres 325, 974-4313, email: freire@math.utk.edu
Web page: http://www.math.utk.edu/~freire
Office Hours: Tu&Th 2:00-3:30 or by appointment (send email)
Course Description: Introduction to ordinary differential equations , with onevariable Calculus as prerequisite. Topics include: linear and nonlinear first-order
equations, linear second-order equations and applications, Laplace transform,
first-order systems.
Text: Ordinary Differential Equations, by Morris Tenenbaum and Harry Pollard
(Dover, 1963).
Lectures: attendance to every lecture is expected. Lectures will emphasize the
main points and representative examples for each text lesson included in the
course (which should be read in advance if at all possible).
All information about the course (HW problems, topics covered, handouts,
instructions to students) will be posted on the course log, linked to the course
page:
http://www.math.utk.edu/~freire/teaching/m237f15/m237f15index.html
Learning Environment and Classroom Expectations: The following are
distracting to the instructor and other students, and will not be permitted: (i) use
of laptops or cell phones during class, or texting; (ii) reading material not
pertaining to the course; (iii) arriving late or leaving early, without warning the
instructor in advance.
Homework: About 10 problems from the text per week will be assigned as
homework (posted on the course log). Do each problem on a separate page. On
the due date (usually a Thursday) two problems (chosen at random) will be
collected for grading. Turning in homework is required, and late homework won’t
be accepted.
Tests: there will be three in-class tests during the semester. Test dates will be
announced one week in advance. The lowest test grade will be dropped. There
will be no make-ups of tests: if you miss a test, this will be the grade dropped.
Grading: The course grade will be based on homework (20%), two test grades
(25% each) and a comprehensive final (30%).
Expected grading scale: 55-69: C-,C,C+; 70-85: B-,B,B+; 85 and above: A,A. A student’s grade will be independent of how the class as a whole performs
(no “curve”).
Course Schedule: see course outline:
http://www.math.utk.edu/~freire/teaching/m237f15/m237f15outline.html
Math Tutorial Center
Campus Syllabus (includes Disability Services info)
Recommendations: 1. If you fall behind, it may be difficult to catch up. So don’t. Note that I won’t have lectures dedicated to `review’ just before tests. 2. Read the text carefully, in advance of when the section is covered in lecture. In class I will emphasize the “big picture” and examples. You may find it helpful to take notes. 3. Ask questions if there is something you don’t understand—in class or during office hours.