MS 344
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
SPRING 2014
Instructor: Jeff Dodd, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics
Office: 143 Ayers Hall
Office Phone: 782-5112 Email: jdodd@jsu.edu Web Page: http://mcis.jsu.edu/faculty/jdodd
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday: 9:45 - 11:15 AM; Tuesday and Thursday: 8:15 - 9:15 AM and 10:45 - 11:45
AM; Friday: 9:45 AM - 12:45 PM.
These office hours are times when I will usually be in and around my office. You can also see me by making an
appointment (by telephone, by email, or in class) for some mutually convenient time. Finally, you are welcome to
stop by my office at any time even if you do not have an appointment; I will always be happy to talk to you as long
as I am not tied up with something. If all else fails, you are welcome to ask me questions any time of day or night
by email. I check my email frequently, at work and at home, and I don’t mind getting questions this way! Please
do not hesitate to talk to me. I am available. I am here to help you.
Text: Ordinary Differential Equations, by Morris Tenenbaum and Harry Pollard (Dover, 1985).
Online References:
Paul’s Online Math Notes: Differential Equations, by Paul Dawkins:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/DE/DE.aspx
MIT Open Courseware: Differential Equation, by Haynes Miller, Jeremy Orloff, and John Lewis
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-03sc-differential-equations-fall-2011/
Software: I will refer you to a free program called Winplot for some graphical assistance. It can be found here:
http://math.exeter.edu/rparris/winplot.html
POLICIES
(a) Attendance: Because this is an intense course which introduces ideas and ways of thinking which will be new
to you, I urge you not to miss ANY classes unless it is absolutely necessary or unavoidable. You are responsible for
keeping up with whatever transpires in class even if you are not present, including all material covered, assignments
given, and any changes in plans or schedules announced. Therefore, if you must miss a class, contact me (or a reliable
classmate) as soon as possible to find out what you missed.
(b) Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your scores on a set of three midterm examinations, and
a comprehensive final examination. Each examination will be graded out of 100 points. Your final grade will be
calculated using a scale of 450 points as follows:
200 points: 2 midterm examination scores
150 points: 1.5 × final examination score
350 points: total.
Your final examination score will replace one, two, or even all three of your midterm examination scores, including
scores of zero on examinations which you miss for any reason, if it is to your advantage. Therefore no makeup
examinations will be given for midterm examinations, because the final exam effectively acts as a
makeup for any midterm exams that you might miss.
Note: You must take the final exam to receive credit for the course. If you miss the final exam for any reason
other than illness, a serious family emergency, or unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control that physically
prevent you from attending the final exam, you will automatically receive an F in the course. You will be allowed to
make up a missed final exam only if you can provide evidence that you missed it for one of these reasons. The final
exam is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 8:00 - 10:00 AM.
Course grades will be determined by: A 315 - 350 (90%), B 280 - 314 (80%), C 245 - 279 (70%),
D 210 - 244 (60%), F below 210 (less than 60%). These cutoffs may be adjusted at my discretion. Individual
midterm exam scores may be “curved” at my discretion. But the final exam score will not be adjusted in any way.
IMPORTANT DATES
The last day to drop this class (or withdraw from all classes) without academic penalty is March 14 and the last
day to drop this class passing (or withdraw from all classes passing) is April 4.
THE MATERIAL
When the language of calculus is used to describe geometric, physical, chemical, biological, economic, social, and
other systems and processes, the result is often phrased in terms of differential equations. Thus an understanding
of differential equations is critically important to understanding how mathematics is applied in these many different
fields of study. In addition, the study of differential equations for their own sake is a beautiful and fascinating area of
mathematics. Because we will be using calculus extensively, it would be a good idea to have a calculus book handy
as you read the text and work on the problems. The material will be interesting, but it will involve many new ideas
which will take time and effort to master. You will have to work on this course every day.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
There will be homework every day. The homework assignments will be given in class as the material warrants. It
is your responsibility to discipline yourself to keep up with the homework. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility
to find out what assignments you may have missed. The homework assignments will include problems from the text
and may include other problems as well. I consider all homework problems to be part of the course and therefore fair
game for exam questions. In fact, the homework assignments are the heart and soul of the course. Do them as soon
as possible.
Homework will not be regularly collected or graded, but occasionally I may specify certain homework problems
to be turned in for a grade. (These would count as part of a midterm exam grade.) I plan for considerable class time
to be devoted to discussing the homework. I encourage you to ask about homework both in class and individually.
It is very important for you to keep up with the homework and to seek help if you need it.
Work regularly with other students; you will accomplish more in less time with less frustration. Get help from
me or from your classmates if you need it. This course moves quickly; do not get behind!