Math 23: Differential Equations

Winter 2013

Turbulence on a Polar Beta-plane (image due to Y. D. Afanasyev & J. Wells)

Look here for more pictures and brief explanations

	Section 01	Section 02
Instructor	Craig Sutton	Min Hyung Cho
Lectures	MWF 11:15-12:20 (108 Kemeny)	MWF 12:30-1:35 (007 Kemeny)
X-Hour	Tu 12-12:50 (108 Kemeny)	Tu 1-1:50 (007 Kemeny)
Office Hours	Tu 2:30-3:30, Fri. 9:30-10:30 (also by appointment)	Mo. 3:00-4:00, Th. 2:00-3:00 (also by appointment)
Office	321 Kemeny Hall	315 Kemeny Hall
E-mail	Craig.J.Sutton AT You Know Where	Min.H.Cho AT You Know Where
Phone	603-646-1059	603-646-9847
Syllabus, Announcements, HW, etc.	Daily Syllabus Homework	Daily Syllabus Homework
Course Policies & Information	Information	Information
Tutorials (with Tim Dwyer)	Sun., Tues. & Thurs. 7-9PM (105 Kemeny Hall)	Sun., Tues. & Thur. 7-9PM (105 Kemeny Hall)

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Course Description: Differential equations are equations that relate functions and their higher order (partial) derivatives.
They provide a natural language and set of tools through which we can describe and explore the world around us.
For instance, in mathematics and physics differential equations can be used to describe the path that light will travel in exotic geometries. In engineering differential equations can be used to model how a bridge will twist under stress. And in finance, (stochastic) differential equations are used to help price financial derivatives (e.g, options, futures \& credit derivatives).

This course will focus primarily on methods for obtaining exact solutions to various types of differential equations, but (as time permits) we will also explore means of ferreting out qualitative information about solutions based on the form of the differential equation. Topics will include some of the following.

• Techniques for solving first order differential equations
• The Existence and Uniqueness Theorem
• Second Order Linear Equations
• Systems of First Order LInear Equations (with an introduction to matrices)
• Power Series and Power Seires Solutions to ODEs
• Non-linear Systems
• Fourier Series and Partial Differential Equations

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Prerequisites: Math 13 plus a strong interest in mathematical ideas and their applications. If you are unsure about your preparation please speak with your instructor as soon as possible.

Target Audience: This course should be of interest to students in mathematics, physics, engineering and the social sciences.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability and require disability related accomodations please speak to me and Ward Newmeyer, Director of Student Accessibility Services, as soon as possible so we can find a remedy.

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Textbook: Elementary Differntial Equations & Boundary Value Problems (Ninth Edition), Boyce & DiPrima, Wiley 2009. (available at Wheelock Books).

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Tentative Syllabus: This syllabus is subject to change, but it should give you a rough idea of the topics we will cover this term.

	Chapters	Brief Description
Week 1	1, 2.1- 2.5	First Order ODEs; The Existence & Uniqueness Theorem; Modeling with First Order ODEs; Autonomous Equations and Geometric Methods
Week 2	2.5, 2.7 & 3.1-3.3	Autonomous Eqs. & Geom. Methods; Intro. to Matrix Algebra; Second Order Linear ODEs: the Wronskian & Complex Roots
Week 3	3.4 - 3.8	Second Order Linear ODEs: constant coeff. with repeated roots; Non-homogeneous Equations: method of undetermined coefficients & Variation of Parameters; Mechanical Vibrations
Week 4	5.1- 5.4	Spring-Mass System; Power Series and Series Solutions to ODEs; Euler's Equation
Week 5	5.1-5-5.4 & 7.1-7.4	Series Solutions; Linear Independence; Eigenvalues & Eigenvectors
Week 6	7.4 - 7.8	Systems of First Order Linear ODEs
Week 7	7.1- 7.9, 9.1 & 9.2	Systems of First Order Linear ODEs; Non-Linear Systems
Week 8	9.2-9.4 & 10.1-10.4	Non-Linear Systems; Two-Point Boundary Value Problems; Fourier Series
Week 9	10.1-10.7	Fourier Series and the heat equation

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(tentative) Deliverables & (tentative) Grading Guide & Policies: The following will comprise the written assignments for this term.

• Daily Reading: Corresponding to each class topic there will be a reading assignment which should be completed before coming to class.
• Weekly Written Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments for this course which in general will be assigned on Wednesday and collected the following Wednbesday at the start of class. No late homework will be accepted (see "Personal Day"). Each Assignment will be divided into two parts nad it is required that you hand in a separate write-up for each part. You are encouraged to collaborate with other memebers of the class, but your final write-up must reflect your understanding of the material and you must acknowledge people with whom you consulted.
• Exam I: Wednesday, January 30, 6-8PM, 008 Kemeny Hall (closed book)
• Exam II: Monday, February 25, 6-8PM, 008 Kemeny Hall (closed book)
• Final Exam: Tuesday, March 12, 3-6 PM, Location TBD by Registrar, (Closed Book). Please note that the final will be a cumulative exam.
• Exam Conflicts:If you have a legitimate conflict with one of our scheduled exams, you must inform your instructor verbally and via e-mail at least one week beforehand. For example, if you have a comflict with Exam I, you must inform your instructir via e-mail by January 23.
• Personal Day: During the course of the term things will come up. You might catch a cold, have a miserable day, or just have a sudden attack of lethargy. All of these things can temporarily impair your ability to and desire to do your work. For this reason, each of you will be granted one personal day. That is, we will drop your lowest homework score of the semester in order to smooth out a minor bump during the term. Therefore, we will not accept late homework, except in the event of a major crisis (e.g., family issues, protracted illness, etc.). In the evnt of a major crisis, you should speak with your instructor so that we can decise a plan to get you back on track.
• Withdrawing: Please note that the registrar has determined that February 26 is the final day to withdraw from a course this term.

GRADING GUIDE: Your final grade will be computed according to the following scheme.

Written HW	15%
Exam 1	25%
Exam 2	25%
Final Exam	35%

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Last Updated 4 January, 2013