Math 3280 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
Syllabus

Fall 2002
Prof. Peckham



Syllabus

This is an introductory course in Differential Equations and Linear Algebra.

Techniques are developed for obtaining ANALYTICAL, GRAPHICAL, and NUMERICAL solutions to differential equations. Anayltical techniques include separation of variables, first order linear techniques, second order constant coefficient linear techniques (including nonhomogeneous), Laplace transforms, and eigenvalue-eigenvector techniques for linear two-dimensional systems of first order differential equations. Graphical techniques include sketching solutions using slope fields, phase lines, and phase planes. Numerical techniques are mainly used with computer software.

Linear algebra topics include the use of Matrices in solving systems of linear algebraic equations, determinants, vector spaces, an introduction to linear transformations, including finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of transformations.

The course material is mostly covered in Chapters 1-9 of the Goode text. The specific sections covered will be announced by the instructor. Some supplemental material will be occasionally presented in class.

Related material in other courses: Differential equations relies heavily on Calculus, especially integration. Linear algebra relies on high school and/or college algebra courses. Math 3280 is a prerequisite for many Mathematics courses: Complex Variables (Math 4230), Operational Methods (Math 4240), Linear Algebra (Math 4236), Numerical Methods (Math 4820), Optimization and Control (Math 5220), Dynamical Systems (Math 5260), Modeling with Dynamical Systems (Math 5270), Partial Differential Equations (Math 5280), Linear Programming (Math 5810), Numerical Analysis: Approximation and Quadrature (Math 5830), Numerical Analysis: Systems and Optimization (Math 5840), and Numerical Differential Equations (Math 5850).

Other References


Grading (Topics and dates are tentative)

ITEM:			DATE:			TENTATIVE TOPICS:	WEIGHT:
Exam 1:	   		Thurs. Oct.  3		Ch's 1-2 		18%
Exam 2:  		Thurs. Oct. 31		Ch's 3-5		18%
Exam 3:			Thurs. Dec.  5		Ch's 6-8		18%
Final Exam: 		Tues. Dec. 17 12-2pm	Ch 9+cumulative		30%
HW sets, Labs, Quizzes							20%
Drop portion of lowest grade						-6%
--------------------------					       ---
Total:								       100%

General policy statement

Lectures, material in the text, labs, homework sets, and tests are all intended to complement each other. No one is a replacement for any of the others. You are, in general, expected to learn material which is covered via any of these sources.

Homework Sets and Ground Rules

Homework will be turned in roughly every week. All work should be neatly written, well-organized, and complete. See the Department "Minimum Standard Requirements" handout.

For regular homework sets, you are encouraged to exchange ideas with each other, but each person should write up his/her solutions completely in his/her own words. It is never appropriate to give a written version of a problem to another classmate, except to have the classmate read and evaluate your work with you present. It is OK to verbally explain your ideas to another classmate, as long as the classmate then writes up his/her work on his/her own. One person copying a classmate’s solutions is expressly forbidden and will result in both students receiving zeroes for that complete homework set and facing academic disciplinary action.

It is often instructive to read the problems at the end of each section and think about how you would solve them, even if you don't actually attempt to solve them.

Assignments will be confirmed by email, and all past and current assignments will be posted on the web at `www.d.umn.edu/~bpeckham/Math3280F2002.html'.

Missed Exams or Quizzes

Missed quizzes or exams will be assigned a zero score unless you provide a valid written, signed (by a Doctor, for example) excuse for your absence; unless it is not possible to do so, you must provide verbal notice ahead of time to your instructor for an absence. Arrangements for a makeup should be made as soon as you know you will miss. Do not wait for the next class. You can leave the instructor a message 24 hours a day by phone or email. Oversleeping, poor preparation, slight colds, and cold weather are not valid excuses.

Disabilities

Please inform me of any disabilities of which I should be aware in order to provide for equitable participation.

This page (http://www.d.umn.edu/~bpeckham/www) is maintained by Bruce Peckham (bpeckham@d.umn.edu) and was last modified on Wednesday, 04-Sep-2002 14:05:27 CDT.