Course: Math 20D
Title: Introduction to Differential Equations
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisite: Math 20C (or equivalent).
Catalog Description: Ordinary differential equations: exact, separable, and linear; constant coefficients, undetermined coefficients, variations of parameters. Systems. Series solutions. Laplace transforms. Techniques for engineering sciences. Computing symbolic and graphical solutions using Matlab.
Textbook: Fundamentals of Differential Equations (9th Edition), by Nagle, Saff, and Snider. This is the textbook available at the UC San Diego bookstore. If you choose to purchase it elsewhere, be aware that you need MyMathLab access, which is included with the bookstore version of the textbook (but not with all versions). Note: you may also forego the physical textbook and just purchase a MyMathLab access code directly from MyMathLab the first time you login (see TritonEd below); this includes access to the ebook version of the textbook.
Lecture: The lectured will be held synchronously via Zoom. They will be recorded and the videos, as well as the lecture notes, will be uploaded to Canvas. Watching the lectures is a fundamental part of the course; you are responsible for material presented in the lecture whether or not it is discussed in the textbook. You should expect questions on the exams that will test your understanding of concepts discussed in the lecture.
Canvas & MyMathLab: We will use Canvas for two purposes in this class: to disseminate grades, and as a portal to MyMathLab, the online homework system associated to the textbook, through which you will submit your homework. In the course page on Canvas, you can click on MyLab and Mastering in the side bar. There you will see links to Pearson MyMathLab. The first time you login, you will be prompted to create an account with Pearson, and then enter the access code that came with your textbook (or you may purchase one here). This is a one-time procedure; after that every time you login will give you direct access to MyMathLab. There you will find all currently available homework assignments, along with their listed due dates. You will also have access to the ebook version of the textbook here (for the lifetime of the current edition).
Homework: Homework is a very important part of the course and in order to fully master the topics it is essential that you work carefully on every assignment and try your best to complete every problem. We will have two different kinds of homework assignments in this class: online homework (which will be graded) and "paper-and-pen" homework (which will not be graded).
MATLAB: As a part of this course you will learn how to use a computer software to solve ordinary differential equations. Thus, in addition to your written homework, you will be required to do homework using the computer language MATLAB. The Math 20D MATLAB Assignments page contains all information relevant to the MATLAB component of Math 20D, including due dates. You can do the homework on any campus computer that has MATLAB, and you can also make use of UCSD's MATLAB site license to install MATLAB on your own computer by visiting the MATLAB for UCSD Students page. Questions regarding the MATLAB assignments should be directed to the TAs. There are also tutors available during Week 2-9. Please upload your MATLAB homework assignments to Gradescope by the due date according to the instructions found on the Math 20D MATLAB Assignments page.; note that late MATLAB homework will not be accepted, but in case you have to miss one MATLAB assignment, your lowest MATLAB homework score will be dropped. There will be a MATLAB quiz at the end of the quarter.
Final Examination: The final examination will be held at the date and time stated in the course calendar.
Regrade Policy: Your exams and assignments will be graded using Gradescope. You will be able to request a regrade via Gradescope for a specified window of time. Be sure to make your request within the specified window of time; no regrade requests will be accepted after the deadline.
Administrative Deadline: Your scores for all graded work will be posted to Canvas.
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:
| A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- |
| 97 | 93 | 90 | 87 | 83 | 80 | 77 | 73 | 70 |
Academic Integrity: UCSD's code of academic integrity outlines the expected academic honesty of all students and faculty, and details the consequences for academic dishonesty. The main issues are cheating and plagiarism, of course, for which we have a zero-tolerance policy. (Penalties for these offenses usually include assignment of a failing grade in the course, and can be much more significant.) However, academic integrity also includes things like giving credit where credit is due (listing your collaborators on homework assignments, noting books or papers containing information you used in solutions, etc.), and treating your peers respectfully in class. In addition, here are a few of our expectations for etiquette in and out of class.
Email etiquette: You are expected to write as you would in any professional correspondence. Email communication should be courteous and respectful in manner and tone. Please do not send email messages that are curt or demanding.