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Math 23 Winter 2012
Differential Equations

Differential equations relate a function to some expression involving its derivatives or partial derivatives. Any quantity that obeys rules involving its various rates of change can be modeled with these equations. These kinds of equations therefore occur throughout the sciences, engineering, economics and medicine.

Old Final Exams

Spring 2011
Winter 2011
2005 Final
2007 Final

Paper Info

Presentation
Paper Template + instructions
Variations
Here are two reference papers: Paper 1, Paper 2
Salamander Matlab Code
Lead poisioning model code
sample code for evaluating the Jacobian

Heat Equation on a plate

Write up
Matlab code

Fourier Series

Sample Matlab code
Web example

Heat Equation in a Rod

Sample Matlab code

Instructors and General Information

Dr. Dorothy Wallace
(12 hour)
Dr. Adrianna Gillman
(11 hour)
Office: 204 Kemeny HallOffice: 210 Kemeny Hall
Office hours: M 11-12, WF 2-3:00 and by appointmentOffice hours: M 2:30-4pm , F 1:30-3pm and by appointment
email (preferred) email (preferred)

Note that you do not need an appointment to attend regularly-scheduled office hours. If you have a conflict you may make an appointment to meet outside those times.

Textbook: Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems by Boyce and DiPrima. 9th edition. Homework will be assigned from the text. We will also make use of The Big Green Ordinary Differential Equation Machine to assist with numerical solutions. Those who know Matlab are encouraged to use it. There will also be a few research papers to read.

Students with disabilities enrolled in this course and who may need disability-related classroom accommodations are encouraged to see their instructor privately as early as possible in the term. Students requiring disability-related accommodations must register with the Student Accessibility Service office. Once SAS has authorized accommodations, students must show the originally signed SAS Accommodations/Consent Form and/or a letter on SAS letterhead to their professor. As a first step, if students have questions about whether they qualify to receive accommodations, they should contact the SAS office. All inquiries and discussions about accommodations will remain confidential.

For your convenience, here is the term calendar as set by the registrar, with deadlines for schedule adjustment and other significant dates.

The Honor Principle

On Exams: No assistance may be given or received except that you may ask the instructor for clarification of a problem. In particular, no calculators or computing devices may be used.

On Homework: Collaboration and discussion is encouraged, and you may discuss problems with instructors, tutors, and fellow students, and use notes, books, calculators, and computing devices. However, each student is to complete his or her assignments individually and independently.

On Term paper: discussion with others encouraged and paper to be written in pairs. You and your partner must write it yourself with proper citations. We encourage you to consult with a writing editor (the College provides these through its writing programs).

Lectures and Exams

Lectures will be held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with x-hour used only if needed to replace a class.

11 (Gillman) 12 (Wallace)
11:15-12:20
X-hour Tu 12:00-12:50
12:30-1:35
X-hour Tu 1:00-1:50
Kemeny 008 Kemeny 006

There are two scheduled exams, one midterm, held outside of class time, and the final exam.

MidtermFinal Exam
Thursday, Feb. 2
7:00-9:00 pm
Saturday, March 10
3:00 pm
008 Kemeney Hall TBD

If you have a conflict with a scheduled exam contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Homework and Tutorials

Homework is due in the boxes outside of 008 Kemeny Hall by 5pm on Monday (unless it is a holiday, then it is due Tuesday). Homework will be returned to the boxes on Friday around 5pm.

Tutorials are an additional resource for you to get help with the course. Similarly to office hours, they are times set aside for you to come for assistance with material. We have one teaching assistant, Dan Cianci.

Tutorials: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 7:00-9:00 PM
except nights of midterms
Kemeny 007

Finally, through the Academic Skills Center you may join a study group or obtain a private tutor.

Supplemental software

Direction Field and Solution Plotter: Web based
Another Direction Field Plotter: Web based
Vector Field plotter: Web based

Grading

Grades will be assigned based on homework and exams as follows.

ComponentPoints
Midterm 1100
Paper100
Homework100
Final Exam200
Total500

Last modified 7 March 2012 by AG.