Course Content:  This course will cover basic tools and techniques for solving ordinary differential equations, with an emphasis on linear ordinary differential equations.

Text: The text for the course will be Ordinary Differential Equations, by William Adkins and Mark Davidson.

Logistics:

Classroom:  Coates 220
Time:  1:30 – 2:50
Office Hours:  Tuesdays 3 – 4, Thursdays  12 – 1

Homework and Grades:

Homework Policy:  Submitted homework must be turned in to my office or mailbox by 4:00 PM on Fridays.  If you know in advance you will be unable to turn in homework when it’s due, you should plan to turn it in ahead of time. Religious holidays are not an excuse for late homework! If you know that there is an impending religious holiday, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to submit homework early.

Homework must be neat, well-organized, and legible. Ragged margins, multi-column and otherwise over-dense formats, and unstapled sheets are unacceptable. If your handwriting is difficult to read, type your homework. If you tend to scratch out or erase incorrect parts of solutions, do a rough draft or type your homework. Write in paragraphs, sentences, and English words. Use punctuation and conjunctions to indicate your flow of thought rather than arrows or telepathy. Shoot for lucidity rather than terseness.

Final Course Grades: Your grade will be determined by your performance on the various assignments and exams throughout the term. Specifically, your final grade will be determined as follows:

• Homework 25%
• Midterms 20% (each)
• Final 35%

Academic Dishonesty: While copying your written work from somebody else or from any other source is considered cheating, you are strongly encouraged to talk to others about the material you are learning — this includes fellow students, me and anyone else in the department.  The more engaged you are with the material the better. That said, the work you hand in must be your own. The best way to avoid any suspicion of copying is to write out your homework solutions on your own, not whilst working with a friend. Cheating on exams is unacceptable. Any cheating during midterms or finals will result in you failing the exam.

Disability Support: Students who may need accommodations because of a documented disability should meet with me privately within the first week of classes. In addition, students with disabilities should also contact the Office of Disability Services.