Math 246: Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers

Section 0801 and Section 0901

General Information

Prerequisites Math 141 (Calculus II) or equivalent.

Textbooks

Elementary Differential Equations, Seventh edition, by W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.
Differential Equations with Matlab, by K. R. Coombes, B. R. Hunt, R. L. Lipsman, J. E. Osborn, and G. J. Stuck, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.

Instructor Bo Li (Office hours: Tu 2:30 - 3:30, W 3:00 - 4:00, Th 1:00 - 2:00; Office: Math 4304; Phone: 301-405-5088; E-mail: bli@math.umd.edu).

Lectures Section 0801: MWF 1:00 - 1:50, Math 0405.
Section 0901: MWF 2:00 - 2:50, Math 0405.

Class web page http://www.math.umd.edu/~bli/teaching/math246s03/

Homework Assigned regularly and graded partially. There are two types of homework: one is analytical and the other Matlab related. For an analytical type of homework, exercise problems are chosen from the first textbook Elementary Differential Equations. For a Matlab related homework, exercise problems are chosen from the second textbook Differential Equations with Matlab. In each of the analytical and Matlab homework categories, the one with the lowest score will be dropped.
Note: no late homework will be accepted unless a written verification of a valid excuse (such as hospitalization, family emergency, religious observance, court appearance, etc.) is provided and approved by the instructor.

Exams There will be three midterm and one final, close-book and close-note exams. The final exam will be cumulative.
Midterm exam 1: Friday, February 28, 2003, Math 0405.
Midterm exam 2: Friday, April 4, 2003, Math 0405.
Midterm exam 3: Friday, May 2, 2003, Math 0405.
Final exam: 1:30 - 3:30, Friday, May 16, 2003.
Note: neither rescheduled nor make-up exams will be allowed unless a written verification of a valid excuse (such as hospitalization, family emergency, religious observance, court appearance, etc.) is provided and approved by the instructor.

Grading The final course grade will be determined based on the exams and homework with the following weights: final exam - 35%, midterm exam 1 - 15%, midterm exam 2 - 15%, midterm exam 3 - 15%, homework of analytical type - 10%, and homework related to Matlab - 10%. The final grade will be curved.

Prerequisites	Math 141 (Calculus II) or equivalent.
Textbooks	Elementary Differential Equations, Seventh edition, by W. E. Boyce and R. C. DiPrima, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001. Differential Equations with Matlab, by K. R. Coombes, B. R. Hunt, R. L. Lipsman, J. E. Osborn, and G. J. Stuck, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
Instructor	Bo Li (Office hours: Tu 2:30 - 3:30, W 3:00 - 4:00, Th 1:00 - 2:00; Office: Math 4304; Phone: 301-405-5088; E-mail: bli@math.umd.edu).
Lectures	Section 0801: MWF 1:00 - 1:50, Math 0405. Section 0901: MWF 2:00 - 2:50, Math 0405.
Class web page	http://www.math.umd.edu/~bli/teaching/math246s03/
Homework	Assigned regularly and graded partially. There are two types of homework: one is analytical and the other Matlab related. For an analytical type of homework, exercise problems are chosen from the first textbook Elementary Differential Equations. For a Matlab related homework, exercise problems are chosen from the second textbook Differential Equations with Matlab. In each of the analytical and Matlab homework categories, the one with the lowest score will be dropped. Note: no late homework will be accepted unless a written verification of a valid excuse (such as hospitalization, family emergency, religious observance, court appearance, etc.) is provided and approved by the instructor.
Exams	There will be three midterm and one final, close-book and close-note exams. The final exam will be cumulative. Midterm exam 1: Friday, February 28, 2003, Math 0405. Midterm exam 2: Friday, April 4, 2003, Math 0405. Midterm exam 3: Friday, May 2, 2003, Math 0405. Final exam: 1:30 - 3:30, Friday, May 16, 2003. Note: neither rescheduled nor make-up exams will be allowed unless a written verification of a valid excuse (such as hospitalization, family emergency, religious observance, court appearance, etc.) is provided and approved by the instructor.
Grading	The final course grade will be determined based on the exams and homework with the following weights: final exam - 35%, midterm exam 1 - 15%, midterm exam 2 - 15%, midterm exam 3 - 15%, homework of analytical type - 10%, and homework related to Matlab - 10%. The final grade will be curved.