MATH 30613 (Spring 2010)

Introduction to Differential Equations

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Igor Prokhorenkov, Tucker Technology Center 311, 257-6342 (office with voice mail), (817) 423-9030 (home), i.prokhorenkov@tcu.edu.

OFFICE HOURS: OFFICE HOURS: 11-noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 2-3 and 5-6 Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please feel free to stop by my office at other times as well – often I am around in the afternoons.

PREREQUISITES: Algebra and Trigonometry skills, Calculus I and Calculus II.

CLASS WEBPAGE: http://faculty.tcu.edu/prokhor/ODE.html contains the list of assignments, electronic copies of handouts and other useful materials.

TEXTBOOK: Differential equations by P. Blanchard, R. Devaney, and G. Hall, 3^rd edition, with included CD ROM. We will cover most of the material from chapters 1 through 6 of the textbook.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

(1) Learn what differential equations are and become familiar with qualitative, numerical, and quantitative methods of solving them.

(2) Gain experience working with and critically evaluating different mathematical models.

(3) Improve your quantitative literacy, problem solving skills, and mathematical confidence.

(4) To have fun while working hard and learning some challenging material.

CALCULATORS: Most of the assignments will not require you to use calculator. Occasionally a simple graphing calculator might be helpful. You may not use TI 89 calculators and other calculators with symbolic capabilities during examinations.

GRADING: Grades for the course will be based upon three exams during the semester, a comprehensive final exam, homework and possible small projects as follows:

Homework and projects		20%
Exam 1	Friday, February 5	16%
Exam 2	Friday, March 5	17%
Exam 3	Friday, April 9	17%
Final Exam, 11:30 - 2	Friday, May 7	30%

ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is required. Please discuss with me in advance all cases of official university absences. Contact me about all absences due to illness or family emergency as soon as possible.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned, collected, and graded every week. Homework is due at the beginning of class. During the semester, each student will be allowed to turn in at most two papers late without penalty. Late homework must be turned in within one week of the due date. No additional late homework will be accepted. Your papers are expected to be neat, well organized, and to include appropriate grammatically correct verbal explanations of the work. All graphs should be clearly labeled. Please, staple your work in the correct order. You may work together on the homework, but the paper you turn in should reflect your personal preparation, i.e. no coping of any kind is permitted.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you are eligible for academic adjustments, you need to contact the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities and find out how to proceed. This should be done as soon as possible. Without a letter from her office, I can make no special allowances.