Course Information
Instructor: Dr. Scott Annin
Class Number:
14470
and
14472
Class Time:
MTWF 11:00 - 11:50
and
MTWF 12:00 - 12:50
Class Room: MWF (MH 442); T (MH 480)
and
MWF (MH 464); T (MH 480)
Office:
McCarthy 161C
Office Phone:
278-7678
| Mondays: 3:00-4:00 and 5:30-6:30 |
| Tuesdays: 1:00-2:00 |
| Fridays: 10:00-11:00 and 1:00-2:00 |
E-Mail: sannin@fullerton.edu
Webpage Address:
http://math.fullerton.edu/sannin
Note: The webpage will be important for the operation of this course. Severe constraints have been made on faculty use of the photocopy machine, so I will not be distributing much by paper in class. You must go to the webpage to find homework assignments, solutions, and other course announcements.
Text: Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Second edition) by Stephen Goode
We will cover most of the material in the first eight chapters of this text.
Course Description: A differential equation is an equation that involves a function y(t) and its derivatives y'(t), y''(t), etc. Such equations arise in countless places in science, from spring oscillation to chemical reactions, to the movement of heat in a steel bar. It is therefore of great interest to develop methods for solving such equations for the unknown function y(t). We will do this for a number of different types of differential equations over the first few weeks of the course. Sometimes we seek to solve several different differential equations involving y(t) at the same time. The complexity here is much greater than it is for a single differential equation, and we find almost immediately that the machinery we need to accomplish this is much more sophisticated in this situation. In fact, systems of differential equations are usually described mathematically by using matrices. A matrix is simply a block of numbers, and such objects are an invaluable tool in many areas of math and science, including the study of multiple differential equations. The study of matrices, how to operate with them, their properties, the information they provide, and so on, is referred to generally as linear algebra. Therefore, we will spend considerable time in this course on an introduction to linear algebra. This topic begins in Chapter 3 of our text, and remains an important tool for the remainder of the course. After spending a few chapters introducing linear algebra as an important subject for its own sake, we will return at the end to discover how the theory it provides can widen the types of differential equations that we can solve; most notably, we will be able to give a comprehensive study of multiple differential equations and their solutions.
Grading: Homework and Quizzes (25%) Three Midterms (15% each), Final Exam (30%). Also, I reserve the right to raise or lower your class percentage by 2-3% on the basis of a qualitative measure that I call "qualitative performance" (see below). Note: Beginning with this semester, University policy allows for plus/minus grades to be given, and I will use them as appropriate.
Exams: The dates of the tests are:
| First Midterm | Monday, March 7 |
| Second Midterm | Monday, April 11 |
| Third Midterm | Monday, May 9 |
| Final Exam | Tuesday, May 24, 2:30-4:30 p.m. |
Note: All exams are closed book, closed notes, closed calculators. No make-up exams are allowed , so check your schedule now to ensure that you have no time conflicts with the above exam schedule.
Homework and Quizzes: Homework assignments will be due to the envelope outside of my office door by 5:00 p.m. on the day it is due. No late papers can be accepted. For each assignment, some problems will be graded in detail for mathematical correctness, and some credit will also be given for the overall completeness of the work, regardless of the correctness. The homework is very important, and you should work hard at it. You may work together with friends and get any help from me you need, provided your final solution write-up is done in your own words and is not merely copied. I will post formal solutions to the problems outside my door which may be removed BRIEFLY for photocopying.
Each quiz will carry the weight of one homework assignment. We will not have many quizzes, and they will be short (approx. 15 minutes). I will only give them if I feel the class needs to stop and review and check understanding.
Qualitative Performance: I may use the following qualitative factors to change your class percentage by 2-3 % (basically, to deal with borderline grade cases): attendance, participation in class discussions, hard work, improvement, office hours, etc....
Academic Integrity: Students who violate university standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the university. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students, and the university, policies on academic integrity are strictly enforced. I expect that you will familiarize yourself with the academic integrity guidelines found in the current student handbook.
Emergency Procedures: In the event of an emergency, take all your personal belongings and leave the classroom. Use the stairways located at the east, west, or center of the building. Do not use the elevator. Go to the lawn area towards Nutwood Avenue behind MH. Stay with class members for further instructions. For additional information on exits, fire alarms, and telephones, "Building Evacuation Maps" are located near each elevator.
Final Thoughts: I'm looking forward to working with you all this semester! I *want* to help you learn the material and do well in the class. If you are having any problems or concerns with the class, I hope you will be comfortable talking to me about it. I'll do my best to give advice to keep you on track. I would like to get to know each of you individually this semester, so to help me learn your names and show you where to find my office, I would like each of you to stop by my office sometime during the first two weeks of the course to introduce yourself. I will drop your lowest homework/quiz score if you do this. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and I hope you will come by. Have a great semester, and good luck.
Scott