Math 334-002 Fall 2005

Ordinary Differential Equations

What's New?

Please check Blackboard for the latest news and course materials.

Classroom Hours:
MWF 9-9:50am
Classroom Location:
331 TMCB

Instructor:
Sum Chow (http://www.math.byu.edu/~schow)
Email/ Phone
schow@math.byu.edu (801)422-9088

Class Web Page:
http://www.math.byu.edu/~schow/math334F2005.html
Office Hours:
WF 10:30--11:30 am, M (in math lab) 2-3pm and by appointment.

Textbook:

Elementary Differential Equations, W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima, John Wiley, NY, 8th ed.

If you are price sensitive, you may consider purchasing an international edition of the textbook. Despite the warning label printed on the book, it is perfectly legal to purchase it in USA.

Pre-requisite:

Pre-requisite: Math 113, Math 302/3 or Math 343. Computer literacy is helpful. Please note that proficiency in basic calculus skill such as integration by parts and by partial fraction and basic linear algebra skill such as evaluation of determinants is an important factor in the successful completion of the course.

Course Objective:

To familiarize the students with the basic concepts and techniques relating to construction and solutions of ordinary differential equations so as to enable them to apply the materials learned in higher level mathematics courses and in other subject areas. In this course students are expected to develop the ability to follow basic but rigorous proofs in addition to developing skill in the solution techniques and abstract methods.

Syllabus:

From Catalog: Methods and theory of ordinary differential equations. Covering chapters 1-7 and selected sections in chapter 9 of textbook. Some related topics and mathematical software tools will also be discussed. Please note that I am assuming that students are already familiar with most the background materials in the textbooks (in particular calculus topics such as integration and power series and linear algebra topics such as matrix properties, linear independence and eigenvalues) and consequently will be limiting my discussion on those topics in class.

Course Syllabus is available on Blackboard.

Homework:

Assignments will generally be collected every class days. Homework handed in late will not be accepted. The lowest five homework scores will be dropped. Solutions should be clearly labeled and in order. The style of your written solutions should be very much like that of a text book example; solutions should contain enough explanation so that one of your classmates would be able to easily understand what you have done. Generally, it is inadequate to merely write down a final answer. You are strongly encouraged to study together and work together on homework assignments. However, you each must submit your own assignment. Everything you turn in should be in your own words and you should thoroughly understand everything you write down. (see Honor Code.) The homework grader will only grade selected exercises. Therefore it is important for you to solve each one.

Reminder: assigned homework is representative of the minimal set of problems that you should attempt. In general you should also work on as many unassigned problems as possible.

Collaborative discussion is encouraged when completing homework and project assignments. However, plagiarism is not acceptable (see Honor Code.)

Preparation Time: Adequately prepared students should expect to spend a minimum of three hours of work for each credit hour. This adds up to a minimum of 9 hours per week for Math 334. A minimal time commitment is likely to lead to an average grade B-/C+ or lower. Much more time may be required to achieve excellence. You may seek help in the math lab located in TMCB.

Quizzes and Projects:

Quizzes or projects will be given occasionally. Projects are based on textbook problems that require extensive computation.

Projects assigned are usually due in two class days after assignment.

Tests:

Three tests are currently scheduled. The tests will be given at the testing center. There is a 3-hour limit for the tests but students are advised not to spend more than TWO hours on each test. Books, notes, personal calculators, and PDAs are not allowed. Made up tests may not be arranged except in case of emergency or absence due to official university business. If you want to attend special events, e.g., your sister's wedding or your nephew's baptism, you may arrange to take the test up to a week prior to but not after the set test date.

Final:

The final will be comprehensive. Unless otherwise indicated, no calculators, books, or notes will be permitted during the final exam. The final exam will be given on Wed, December 14, 2005 , 7a.m. to 10a.m. in 331 TMCB.

Course Grade:

Course grade will be calculated from the following distribution

20%	Assignments (collected in class) and Quizzes/projects
45%	3 Midterm Exams
35%	Final Exam

Please keep track of your homework, quizzes, and examination scores on BLACKBOARD so that you will be able to determine your grade during the course. Grades will not be posted at the end of the semester.

Resources

Supplements listed in Wiley Higher Education Website, including

	Student Solutions Manual, C.W. Haines.
	Interactive Learning Edition of Elementary Differential Equations, W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima, John Wiley, NY, 7th ed., 2001. (May still be useful for the 8th ed.)

Miscellaneous

Cell Phone Usage

Please mute or turn off your cell phone before class. If your phone rings during class, I get very distressed and may act (even more) irrationally!! Please be considerate!

Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an education program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU's policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university but to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the campus Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability, which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office at 422-2767. Please also inform the instructor about your situation during the first week of class. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the students and the instructor in consultation by the SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-282 ASB.

Dress and Grooming Standards

The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat, and clean, consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher learning. Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff, and faculty of BYU represent the principles and standards of the Church.

Honor Code

As a reminder, students are expect to adhere to the Honor Code. In particular, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.