Math 302-01, Ordinary Differential Equations, Spring 2010
Syllabus

Instructor: Professor Junping Shi	Phone: 221-2030
Office: Jones Hall 122	email: jxshix@wm.edu
Office Hour: TR 2-3pm, W3-4pm  or by appointment

Course Description

In this course, we study the solutions of ordinary differential equations using a three-pronged approach. Solutions are obtained using analytic, geometric, and numerical techniques. All three approaches have their advantages, and we will learn when to use the appropriate technique. We begin by deriving a few classical examples with an emphasis on the phenomena that they model. We then discuss first-order equations using all of the techniques mentioned above. Next we study first-order systems. Using techniques from linear algebra, we derive a systematic approach to the solution of linear systems. Unfortunately, nonlinear systems are more difficult to investigate, but we learn how to apply what we know from the linear case to the nonlinear case. Our goal is to be able to say as much as possible about the solutions of a differential equation even if those solutions cannot be expressed in terms of the standard elementary functions (polynomial, rational functions, trigonometric functions, etc.)

Course Webpage:  http://blackboard.wm.edu/
We have a course webpage with tons of extra material, including links to java applets graphing the solutions, animations, background of many models, online tutorial of differential equations. All quizzes, test answer keys and practice tests will be available at the website, also the answers to even number homework problems. Check the section website at least once a week for new course information. A lot of files are available in pdf format. If you do not know how to view or print these files, please ask your instructor or computer lab assistant for help.

Meeting Times and places:   Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-1:50pm, Jone Hall 307

Prerequisites: Math 111 and Math 112 (or Math 131/132)

Textbook:  Differential Equations, By Blanchard, Devaney and Hall, Third Edition.

Computer and Calculators: Computer demonstrations will be given in classes sometime, and browsing differential equations related webpages is a fun thing to do and is necessary for your success in this course. Computer software Maple and a CD-ROM (which comes with new textbook) will be used in some homework assignments. Maple is available on all university Windows network computers, please visit webpage http://www.wm.edu/IT/labs/ for lab information. Graphing calculator is not necessary for this course, though a simple scientific calculator is useful for some numerical calculations like exponential and logarithms. Any calculator (but not laptop computer or handheld computer) is allowed in quizzes, tests and final exam. A web-based software used very often in class is http://www.math.rice.edu/~dfield/

Course Grade:

Test #1-3	16% x 3=48%
Quizes	2% x 8=16%
Final Exam	36%
Total	100%

Percentage	Letter grade
90-100	A
80-90	B
70-80	C
60-70	D
below 60	F

Tests and Final Exam: We will have three in-class exams during the semester, all at the normal class time. They will be held on February 16th, March 18th  and April 15th,  and the final exam will be held on May 10th, Monday, 9-12noon, in the same classroom. Please note the date of the final and make your travel plans now! University policy states that you must take the final at the scheduled time. Make-up tests will not be given, except in cases of officially approved absences or for substantiated medical reasons. In some extreme cases, if you are forced to miss the test, you must notify me within one day of the date of the test, preferably before the test is given. An excuse from your doctor or other appropriate authorities must be presented at that time. Each of the three test accounts for 16% in the semester grade (total 48%). The final exam will be comprehensive and  accounts for 34% in the semester grade. All exams (tests and final) will be closed book and closed notes, but calculators will be allowed.
Homework: Homework list is in next page (and also available from course webpage) and will not be collected. It is your responsibility to check your answers and make sure you do them correctly.

Quizzes: Eight(8)  quizzes will be given in some classes or take home. The schedule of quizzes is also in the class schedule page(and also available from course webpage). Each quiz covers the material from last quiz/test, usually same as the homework assignment due that day.  Each quiz accounts for 2% in the semester grade. Quizzes will be closed book, closed notes. Make-up quizzes will not be given, except in cases of officially approved absences or for substantiated medical reasons.
Attendance of the class: Attendance of the class is necessary for your success in this class.