MATH 225 Home Page

Chapter summarys

Copy of extra credit oppertunity

Extra Credit - no longer avaliable on-line. See me for a copy.

Useful offsite sites

dfield and pplane tools for plotting slope fields and phase planes.

Course description

MATH 225 - Introduction to Differential Equations
Prerequisite: Math 182.

An introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. Topics include modelling via differential equations, linear and nonlinear first order differential equations and systems, elementary phase plane analysis, forced oscillations, and Laplace transform techniques.

I expect all students to Read the Book, my lectures are designed to supplement the book and to reiterate the most important and potentially difficult sections. If I don't mention something in class that appears in the book don't assume that you won't be tested on that material, rather assume that I believe that you can master that material without additional help from me! I heartily recommend that everybody at least skims each section of the book before I cover that topic in class, try to work through an example or two, and figure out what the big picture for the section is. Not only does this give you a jump start on the learning process for this material but it provides a focus for your better understanding of my lecture.

Syllabus type information

Contact information for me is available here.

This class meets MF from 10:00-10:50, in Roberts 210,
and TTh from 10:00-10:50 in Roberts 301.

The textbook for this class is Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems 5e by Edwards and Penney.

Grades for this class will be determined by three 100 point in class exams, 100-200 points from homework, quizzes, etc., along with a 200 point cumulative final. Plus/minus grades will be used on your final grade.

Homework

Most homework will not be collected but if you expect to do well in this class you must keep up with the assigned problems. Part of the homework for every section is to read through the relevant material in the book. I recommend that before you attempt the homework problems you read through and pick out the main ideas, make sense of the things that at first glance made no sense, and only then attempt the homework problems. When doing the homework problems strive to not look back through the book except as a last resort, and don't fool yourself into thinking you understand the material if the only way that you can do the problem is to mimic a similar example problem. If you find yourself in this situation make sure to come and get some help!

Important dates

There are no classes on Jan 16 (MLK day), Feb 20 (President's day), Mar 13-17 (Spring Break), and Apr 14 (University Day).

All test dates are yet to be determined with the sole exception being that our last test will be during our assigned final exam time Wednesday May 3, 10:00-11:50 am. All other exams will be announced in class and will appear on this web-site when a day for them has been selected.

Make-up policy

Homework (when it is due) may be turned in late for a reduced score (extremely late work will have an extremely reduced score).

Quizzes are, under most (all) circumstances, available only during the time that they are initially given (Sometimes announced in advance, sometimes not). If you end up missing a quiz for some reason, don't despair. At the end of the term, I drop the lowest one fifth of your quiz grades and average the rest to come up with your quiz grade.

Tests can only be taken other than the scheduled time if arrangements are made in advance and a valid and admissible reason for not attending the scheduled time is provided. People that miss tests without making arrangements in advance are not likely to be able to take that exam. There are, of course, exceptions for extraordinary circumstances.

Other information

A course calendar and/or a list of homework assignments will become available as the semester progresses. Also a listing of test dates when they are chosen. Once posted these items/dates may change so be sure to check them regularly.

Make sure to take a look at my office hours posted on my schedule and drop in if you have any questions. If those hours don't work for you, you can always just stop by and maybe I'll be in, or you can schedule an appointment during any of my non-blocked out times.

You are allowed to, and should use (when necessary), any calculator or computer software to help you on the homework problems and other learning. However, you will not be allowed to use these items on tests and quizzes.

All .ps/.pdf files made with LaTeX. People interested in the .tex file may e-mail me.