SYLLABUS
MATH 285 - DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS - FALL 2015
Monday, Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:45pm
INSTRUCTOR=S NAME:Rich Arrigotti
OFFICE ROOM NUMBER:Aspen 227
OFFICE TELEPHONE NO:445 - 4298
OFFICE HOURS:MW: 4 - 5 pm
T Th: 3:30 - 5 pm
EMAIL:
WNC CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: MATH 285: Differential EquationsUnits (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: MATH 283. Presents methods of solving ordinary differential equations with application to physical systems. Includes systems of equations, series solution, numerical solution, and Laplace transforms.
Math 285 transfers to UNR, UNLV and other two and four-year institutions and satisfies the general education requirement in mathematics for any WNC degree or certificate.
To successfully complete this course, a student needs to:
have taken Calculus II;
attend class regularly;
do the homework assignments, as they will count for about one third of the grade.
TEXTBOOK:Fundamentals of Differential Equations, 8th edition, by Nagle, Saff and Snider.
MATERIAL COVERED: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, which includes first-order differential equations (seperable, exact, linear, homogeneous, Bernoulli, linear coefficients), linear second and higher order equations, applications, elimination method for systems of equations, variation of parameters, Laplace transforms, Dirac Delta function, series solutions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LINKAGE TO GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
The purpose of this course is to provide instruction in the basic theory and applications of ordinary differential equations.The information in the parenthesis after a course objective refers to the general education (GE) learning outcome that the objective meets.
Students who pass this course must demonstrate that they can:
1.Solve first-order differential equations that are seperable, exact, linear, homogeneous, Bernoulli, or have linear coefficients. (GE 3)
2.Derive and solve first-order equations as applied to compartmental analysis, cooling, Newtonian mechanics. (GE 1)
3.Solve linear second-order equations that are homogeneous and nonhomogeneous, using the method of undetermined coefficients, and variation of parameters. (GE 3)
4.Derive and solve second-order equations as applied to free and forced mechanical vibrations. (GE 1)
5.Use the elimination method to solve systems of differential equations with constant coefficients and solve interconnected fluid tank problems. (GE 3)
6.Solve higher order differential equations using the method of undetermined coefficients. (GE 3)
7.Use Laplace transforms to solve differential equations, including nonhomogeneous equations with discontinuous functions. (GE 3)
8.Use power series to solve differential equations. (GE 3)
TUTORING
Math tutoring is available during my office hours and also in the Academic Skills Center, BRIS 330, mornings, afternoons and evenings, Monday through Saturday. Exact hours are posted outside BRIS 330.
GRADING POLICY
The student=s grade will be calculated as follows:
The best 19 out of 21 homework assignments at 10 points each= 190 pts
Three midterms worth 100 points each = 300 pts
One comprehensive final exam = 150 pts
Total = 640 pts
A = 93% - 100%C = 73% - 76%
A- = 90% - 92%C- = 70% - 72%
B+ = 87% - 89%D+ = 67% - 69%
B = 83% - 86%D = 63% - 66%
B- = 80% - 82%D- = 60% - 62%
C+ = 77% - 79%W = 0% - 59%
HOMEWORK: The student is responsible for turning in homework assignments at the beginning of each class. If an assignment is turned in later on in the class hour, it will be graded as late. A 1 point penalty will be charged for all late homework assignments. Late homework will be accepted only up to one week from the day it was due.
TEST DATES
The dates of the three midterms are tentatively scheduled for September 30, November 2, and December 9. The final exam will be December 16. The lowest midterm score will be dropped when that benefits the student=s grade. No make-up exams will be given, except for emergencies or illnesses with prior notification.
October 29 is the last day to drop the class with a “W”. After this date, non-completion of the class will result in an “F”.
CALCULATOR: Calculators are allowed on tests except for TI 89, TI Inspire or other models that perform symbolic calculations. TI 84 or basic scientific calculators are permitted.
CELL PHONES: Accessing a cell phone is not allowed during class, unless there is an emergency or critical situation.
DISABILITY STATEMENT: If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact the Disability Support Services office (Cedar 209) at 445-4459 as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular attendance is necessary for successful completion of the course. A student may be given an F in this class for excessive absences (more than three).