Worksheet for slopefields in Maple
Your Maple assignments will be graded according to this grading rubric.
Differential Equations: Math 3740, Spring 2008, MTWTh 2:30-3:20, D 201 Parkview Campus
instructor: Dr. Melinda Koelling
office: 5525 Everett Tower
phone: 387-4509
office hours: MW 3:20-4:20 and TTh 1:30-2:30, all in Parkview Campus B 211, or by appointment
Aims: We will develop a toolbox of skills for the study of differential equations, we will study how differential equations can be used as models, and we will further develop our ability to use technology to study mathematical problems.
Prerequisites: Math 272 with a grade of C or better, or equivalent transfer credit. If you have any questions about your preparation for this course, see your instructor as soon as possible.
Attitude Requirements: Mathematics is an interesting subject, and I expect you to be curious about it. No one knows everything. You should be aware of what you do and do not know, and work to learn what you do not know. You should formulate good questions and work to obtain answers for them.
Time Requirements: You must plan to spend at least 10 hours a week outside of class. If your mathematical foundation is weak, you will need more time.
Text: Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Second Edition, by Edwards and Penny. We will cover most of chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10, and we will touch on topics from Chapters 4 and 6.
Calculator: You must have a graphing calculator. Choose your calculator knowing that your instructor will use a TI-89 and you may be required to have a TI-89 or higher model in a future course. For the calculator requirements of math courses, see here . Your calculator is a tool: it can help you learn mathematics, but it is not a substitute for learning mathematics. For most exams and quizzes, just as you will not use your text or notes, you will also not use your calculator.
Coursework: As soon as possible after each class, review your notes and make a serious attempt at the homework. You may also want to reread relevant the relevant section(s) in the book, or check with other texts. If you have difficulties, carefully formulate some questions with the material, and obtain clarification from your instructor, other students in class, or other resources. In preparation for class, you should also read any new sections that will be covered. Your instructor will keep you informed about upcoming sections, as we will not cover the book exactly in order. Make sure you can answer the questions ``What were the major points of this section?'', ``What words were defined?'', ``What techniques were discussed?'', ``How does this section relate to the sections before it?'', and ``What do I want to know more about this section so I can understand it better?'' Occasionally, extra credit may be given for presenting a solution of a homework problem to the class.
Maple: Maple is a computer program that can be a useful computational and visualization tool. You will have three Maple assignments throughout the semester to help you learn to use Maple well. Maple is available in many computer labs across campus.
Quizzes and exams: Quizzes may be given in class. They may be announced or unannounced. Unannounced quizzes will often be open notes -- you will be able to use any notes you may have taken in class or from the text, and any homework you may have completed. There will be three mid-term exams and a final. Questions may or may not be problems you have seen before in the reading or homework, but they will test your understanding of the material in the course.
Extra Credit Opportunity in Culture: Every academic disicpline has a culture, and mathematics is no exception. You could attend a talk, give a talk, or read a paper to experience part of this culture. The mathematical honor society PME hosts undergraduate talks a few times each month which are intended for the general mathematical public (that includes you!), often Friday afternoons at 4pm. Your instructor will draw your attention to events occuring throughout the semester -- if there is another event you think should be considered, ask your instructor first. If you want to read a paper, you may want to consult with your instructor. Regardless of the activity you choose, you may recieve extra credit for a one page, thoughtful writeup that addresses both what the activity entailed (What happened at the talk? What was the content of the talk? Where is the paper from? What was the content of the paper?) and how the activity affected your knowledge of the material in this course and mathematics in general.
Grades: Maple Labs 15% , Quizzes and Classwork 15%, Exams (3) 51% , and Final exam 19% . As soon as you are concerned about your grade, come see your instructor during her office hours to discuss your situation. Instead of grading on a curve (90=A, 80=B, etc.), I use some statistics. Borderline cases are determined by attendance habits, attitude, and if you improved over the course of the semester. You cannot determine your grade from the raw percentage. You should focus on learning the material and reaping the benefits of the resources at the university, instead of worrying about your grade or GPA.
Makeups: Makeup exams will be made only in the case of a genuine medical or personal emergency. It is your responsibility to prove that your absence is due to an emergency as soon as possible. In cases with some ambiguity, my response to your plight will be determined in part by how quickly you talk to me about your situation. There will be no makeup quizzes or in class activities, but your lowest such score will be dropped.
Resources: You may benefit from the following resources. Your instructor has office hours so that she can help you with this course. Learn to ask her questions that help you learn the material! One of the best ways to learn and review is to discuss with your peers. You are surrounded by students with skills different from yours. Find people you can learn with well! There are also many other books on calculus and differential equations which may help you by providing a different point of view. Look through another book at some point in the semester! If these methods do not work for you, you can also pay someone to tutor you. A list of tutors is available from the mathematics department on the third floor of Everett tower.
Academic Dishonesty: You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. More details about this procedure can be found at website of the office of student conduct. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.
Disabilities: Any students with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact Ms. Beth Denhartigh at telephone 387-2116 or by email at the beginning of the semester. A disability determination must be made by that office before any accommodations are provided by the instructor.
Miscellaneous Advice:
Talk to me. Come to my office hours. I am here to help you. Bring any concerns you may have to my attention in a timely fashion.
Copying the correct solution from the a solution guide, me, a tutor, or another student does not mean you understand the solution. Make sure you can do each problem from scratch on your own without notes after you get help from a solution guide, me, a tutor, or another student.
I will remember your name faster if you come to my office hours. You can help me by reminding me of your name.
Explaining what you do (or do not) know helps you understand the material. Talk to your fellow students. Talk to me.
Get help as soon as you know you need it.
Keep up with the material, so you know you need help as soon as possible.
Ask to make an appointment if you cannot make my office hours.
Find a group of friends with whom you can meet regularly to discuss the material in the class. There are many things to you can do together. You can discuss what has been happening in class. You can help each other determine the main concepts. You can help each other with homework.
Think about the material in as many ways as possible. One way to think differently about the material is to try to come up with your own homework, quiz, or test problems. Then solve them.
Learn from your mistakes. What mistakes have you made in previous math courses, and how would you do things differently this semester?
What are you mathematical weaknesses? Work on these! If you find a topic difficult, that is often a sign you need to work harder on that topic.
In mathematics, you should learn concepts and computations. Make sure you can answer both ``What are the concepts?'' and ``What computations should I be able to do?'' Then make sure you understand those concepts and can do those computations.