Vancouver
Island University
Department
of Mathematics
Instructor
Dr. Lev V. Idels
MATH
-251: Ordinary Differential Equations
Spring 2016
General
Course Information
Topics include first order differential
equations, second order linear differential equations, series solution, Laplace
transforms, and systems of first order linear differential equations, numerical
methods, non-linear differential equations, and applications. (4:00)
Prerequisite: Min. "C+" in MATH 101
or MATH 122; and either MATH 141 or MATH 241.
Course objectives: this
course is designed to provide the students with a fundamental understanding of
Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications. In engineering and the
applied sciences, differential equations are used to understand and predict the
behaviour of a system. This course is designed to provide undergraduates
students with a fundamental understanding of how differential equations are
applied as a tool to aid in studying complex systems in science and
engineering. There would be no place in this
course where a student could ask, "What is all of this for?" When you have gone through the course, you
will have learned how to tackle real-world problems.
Attend Class - If you
choose to take this class, you’ll need to attend. A good portion of the
material we cover will not be in your text. Don’t decide to take this class
without committing yourself to attending each and every class.
Office: 359/204 Ph: 7533245
Local 2429
Office hours:
Mon&Wed 4:00-5:00 or if you need to see me outside of the announced
office hours, please set up an appointment with me, either by speaking to me
before or after class, or by sending me an email message (include "MATH
251 in the subject line, please).
E-mail: lev.idelsl@viu.ca Webpage:https://web.viu.ca/idelsl/math251_2016.htm
To help me
manage my email inbox, please include "MATH 251” in the subject line of
any email message you send to me (without it, your message runs the risk of
being deleted without being read).
Text: A first course in differential equations by D.Zill, Publisher:
Nelson 10 th edition.
Grading Policy:
60%-
three midterm tests
Dates
for Midterms: Jan 27
, Feb 17 and March 23. final exam Fri April 15 Room 370/106 starts @1pm
40%-
Final exam.
Grades: Grades are awarded roughly as follows.
|
90-10 |
85-89 |
80-84 |
76-79 |
72-75 |
68-71 |
64-67 |
60-63 |
55-59 |
50-54 |
0-49 |
|
|
Letter Grade |
A+ |
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D |
F |
|
Grade Point |
4.33 |
4.00 |
3.67 |
3.33 |
3.00 |
2.67 |
2.33 |
2.00 |
1.67 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
Which
of the above intervals contains your overall percentage, and nothing else
determines your grade. You get what you get!
Other information:
All midterms, and
final are closed-book tests. Calculators and Formulae sheets are allowed. The
solution to a problem should be written bearing in mind that you are
communicating to a reader (me, in this case). Thus an answer should guide the
reader toward the solution. The midterm tests are cumulative in nature. Many of the exam questions will resemble the
assigned homework problems.
There
will be no make-up tests; if you have a
medical reason for missing a midterm, then you must provide me with a written
request to be excused, and this must include a note from a physician. In most
cases, your score on the comprehensive part of the final exam will be used in
place of the missed work. If you have
a question or concern about an assigned mark, please bring it to my
attention within 3 calendar days of the date when the midterm is returned to
the class. I will always answer your questions, but after 3 days
I won’t change your mark.
Class etiquette: Use of cell phones (including text messaging, answered
or unanswered ringing etc.), laptops, pagers,
Blackberries and most other electronic gizmos during class is highly
inappropriate and disrespectful to both the
instructor
and fellow students. Chit chat with neighbors, even when whispered, is equally
unacceptable.
ENJOY THE COURSE!