Instructor: Robert Hanson

Office: LCB 305

email: bobby@math.utah.edu (this is the best way to contact me)

Office Phone: 801.585.1648

Office Hours: By appointment

Class
MTWH 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. in LCB 121

Texts
Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 3e; by Edwards & Penney.

Prerequisites
Math 2270 is the prerequisite for this course, and Math 2210 is highly recommended.

Objectives
After introducing differential equations and using some basic techniques to solve them we will examine some advanced ways of finding solutions. The study of differential equations is the study of how the world interacts with itself. We will be using many examples from physics, chemistry and biology to ground our abstract study of solutions to differential equations.

Homework
Mathematics is the art of solving problems. Calculus is a tool which we use in this art. The only way to learn how to use the tool is to solve problems (just like the only way to learn how to use a paintbrush is to paint). For that reason, homework is very important in this class. Accordingly, it is a major part of your grade. I should give you the ground rules for homework so that you are prepared to succeed in this class.

First, I will not accept late homework. The homework will be assigned weekly. Please plan around conflicts that you know will arise (such as exams or papers in other classes, and family commitments). I realize that there will also be conflicts that you cannot foresee. Therefore, I will drop your two lowest homework scores when calculating grades.

Homework must be neat. If you write your homework in a spiral notebook, please trim off the ruffles. Your papers should be stapled. By this I mean with metal staples. No ``origami'' staples. Be sure to put your name and assignment number on your paper as well. I will not accept homework papers if they are not stapled, or if they still have a rough edge.

Regarding notation, you should write only true statements. This means, among other things, that you should use an equals sign only to show that two things are equal. Please box your answer, show all of your work, and include units where appropriate. Feel free to write down estimates to the answer, especially if you are unable to do the problem. Be sure to include a statement on how you got the estimate. If the estimate is good and well-founded, then I am likely to give partial credit.

I recommend that you work in small groups (2 to 4 people seems best) on your homework.  Each person should, however, turn in their own work.

Maple Labs
There will be 5 Maple projects for this class, roughly one every other week (see the schedule). Again, I encourage you to ask one another questions about the projects or Maple. However, you should do your own work on these projects. On those problems where it asks you to solve one of the DEs on a given page, try to avoid choosing those problems you know your friend has chosen.

I will not accept late projects, nor will any projects be dropped from your grade.

Midterm Exam
There will be one midterm exam for the course.

Final Exam
The final exam will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2005, from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. This will be a comprehensive exam, covering the material from the entire semester. You must pass this exam to pass the class.

Grading
The following relative weights will be used in determining the final grade for the course:

HW	30%
Projects	20%
Midterm	20%
Final	30%

The grading scheme is as follows:

A at least 90%
B at least 80%
C at least 70%
D at least 60%

The +/- scores will be awarded at the fringes of these intervals.

Tutoring
Tutoring is offered by the Mathematics Department free of charge on a drop-in basis. The tutoring center is located in the Math Center. It is open 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday. It is closed on weekends and University holidays.

Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires accommodations be provided for students with physical, cognitive, systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities. Please contact me at the beginning of the semester to discuss any such accommodations for this course.