Course:  Math 20D

Title:  Introduction to Differential Equations

Credit Hours:  4  (2 credits if taken after Math 10A; no credit if taken after Math 10B or Math 10C)

Prerequisite:  Math 20C (or Math 21C) with a grade of Catalog Description:  Ordinary differential equations: exact, separable, and linear; constant coefficients, undetermined coefficients.  Variations of parameters.  Series solutions.  Systems.  Laplace transforms.   Techniques for engineering sciences.  Computing symbolic and graphical solutions using Matlab.

Textbook: Elementary Differential Equations, eighth edition, by William E. Boyce & Richard C. DiPrima; published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2005

Subject Material:  We shall cover parts of Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the text.

Reading:  Reading the sections of the textbook corresponding to the assigned homework exercises is considered part of the homework assignment; you are responsible for material in the assigned reading whether or not it is discussed in the lecture.  It will be expected that you read the assigned material in advance of each lecture.

Calculators:  Calculator use will not be permitted on exams. Graphing calculators (such as the TI-86 or TI-89) may prove useful in checking solutions to some of the homework problems, but they are not required for the course.

Homework:  Homework problems will be assigned on the course homework page, and is due by 6pm on Tuesday in the homework drop box on the indicated due date. You may work together with your classmates on your homework and/or ask the instructors, the TA's, or tutors in the calculus lab for help on assigned homework problems. However, the work you turn in should be your own. Your homework grade will be based on the best five (5) of seven (7) homework assignments.  No late homework assignments will be accepted. Please adhere to the following neatness guidelines for homework that you turn in to be graded; homework not conforming to these guidelines will not receive full credit and may not be graded at all.

1. Use clean paper (graphed or lined is okay) that is not torn from a spiral notebook.
2. Write your name, ID number, and section clearly on the front page of your completed assignment.
3. Clearly number each solution and present them in numerical order.
4. Leave at least one line of space between each problem.
5. Write clearly and legibly.

MATLAB Lab Assignments:  Each week in your lab sessions you will be assigned problems to complete using the MATLAB software package. These will be due in your discussion section on Thursdays (or by 2:00pm in the Matlab lab assignment drop box), and your TA will be available during your Tuesday computer lab hour to help you complete these assignments. Your Matlab lab assignment grade will be based on the best three (3) of five (5) Matlab lab assignments.  No late Matlab lab assignments will be accepted. Complete information regarding the computer labs may be found at the MATLAB Assignments website.

Midterm Exams:  There will be two midterm exams given during the regular lecture hour on Friday;   see the course calendar for the specific dates.    There will be no makeup exams.    You may bring one 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of notes with you to each midterm exam. No calculators will be allowed during the midterm exams.

Final Examination:  The final examination will be held at the following time.

• 8:00am - 11:00am Wednesday, March 18 (See the course calendar.)
  • Please note:
    • It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not have a schedule conflict involving the final examination; you should not enroll in this class if you cannot sit for the final examination at its scheduled time.

Regrades:  Midterm exams will be returned in the discussion sections. If you wish to have your exam regraded, you must return it immediately to your TA. Regrade requests will not be considered once the exam leaves the room. If you do not retrieve your exam (or homework or MATLAB assignment) during discussion section, you must arrange to pick it up from your TA within one week after it was returned in order for any regrade request to be considered.

Grading: Your course grade will be determined by your cumulative average at the end of the term and will be based on the following scale:

• 10% Homework (best 5 of 7),  10% MATLAB Labs (best 6 of 8),  20% Midterm Exam I,  20% Midterm Exam II,  40% Final Exam
• 10% Homework (best 5 of 7),  10% MATLAB Labs (best 6 of 8),  20% Best Midterm Exam,  60% Final Exam

Academic Dishonesty:  Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense at UCSD. Students caught cheating will face an administrative sanction which may include suspension or expulsion from the university.