MATHS 374 Differential Equations

Time:  MWF 1-1:50 pm
Location:  RB 117
Textbook:  Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems (Eighth Edition) by Boyce and DiPrima.
Prerequisite:  MATHS 162 Applied Calculus 2 or MATHS 166 Calculus 2 or permission of the department chairperson.
Instructor:  Dr. Michael A. Karls
Office:  RB 470
Email:  mkarls@bsu.edu
Homepage:  www.bsu.edu/web/mkarls/
Phone:  285-8656 (my office) or 285-8640 (math dept. office)
Hours:  MF 4 – 4:50 pm or by appointment

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the study of differential equations. After this course, you should be familiar with definitions, families of curves, equations of order one, elementary applications, linear differential equations, linear equations with constant coefficients, nonhomogeneous equations, undetermined coefficients, variation of parameters, linear systems of equations, and the Laplace transform.  In the text, this is equivalent to sections from Chapters 1-4, 6, 7, and 9.  If time permits, we will also look at power series solutions and partial differential equations.

Course Grade: Course grade will be based on the percentage of points earned out of a total of 600 possible points made up of the following:

• Three in-class exams (100 points each): 300 points
• Homework: 100 points
• Final Project: 100 points
• Comprehensive Final Exam: 100 points

Grading Scale: A: 93-100%, A-: 90-92%, B+: 87-89%, B: 83-86%, B-: 80-82%, C+: 77-79%, C: 73-76%, C-: 70-72%, D+: 67-69%, D: 63-66%, D-: 60-62%, F: 0-59%

Final Exam Date and Time:  Friday, December 19, 2008, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Attendance Policy:  I expect you to attend this class every period that it meets. You are responsible for missed material.

• NOTE:  This class will meet on “Fruesday” (Tuesday November 25, 2008), which is a make-up day for Friday classes missed for fall break.  Fall Break is Friday, October 17, 2008.

Additional Notes:

• Exam dates will be announced in class.
• The Final Exam is take-home.
• Part of the Final Project involves a class presentation.
• Homework will be assigned at least once per week. I will not collect assignments, but will expect you to try all the problems that are assigned. Please keep your homework in a notebook (loose-leaf paper in a three-ring binder works well). Periodically, throughout the semester, I will collect your homework notebooks and check what you have done. Besides accuracy of answers, I will look for neatness and clarity of your work. Your notebooks will be given a grade that has the same point value as an in-class exam.

Withdrawals:  The course withdrawal period ends Tuesday, October 28.  Before this date, students can elect to receive a “W” for the course by completing and submitting the proper form.  The instructor’s permission is not required.  For details, see page 19 of the current Undergraduate Catalog. 

Ball State University Disabled Student Development Statement:  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.  My office location and hours are listed above.