Math 3740 - Differential Equations and Linear Algebra

Section 100, Control number 11067
Spring Semester 2009
Department of Mathematics
Western Michigan University

Updated January 5, 2009.

Time and location:  Class meets 8 - 8:50 a.m., MTRF, in 3393 Rood Hall.  Final exam is Thursday, April 23, 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Instructor:  Jay A. Wood, 6617 Everett Tower, 387-4812, email: jay(dot)wood(at)wmich(dot)edu .

Office hours:  11 a.m. - noon, TF, or by appointment.

Course description (from the undergraduate catalog):   "Slope fields, first order differential equations and applications, linear differential equations, numerical methods, solution of systems of linear algebraic equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, systems of differential equations, and series solutions. The computer algebra system Maple will be used to explore some of these topics."  Additional course information, with a tentative outline of topics, is available from the mathematics department at   http://www.wmich.edu/math/ForFaculty/m3740g.html .

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: MATH 2720.

Credits: 4 hours

Textbook:  C. Henry Edwards, David E. Penney, Differential Equations & Linear Algebra, second edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. 

Calculator:  The department requires a calculator for this course, with a TI-89 (or higher) recommended.  See http://www.wmich.edu/math/Calculators.htm .

Homework:  Here is the list of homework assignments for the semester.  Due dates will be announced in class (usually Mondays and Thursdays).  Homework will usually be graded on an attempted/not attempted basis.

Grades:  Course grades will be determined by an accumulation of points from homework (up to 100 pts), quizzes (up to 100 pts), two in-class exams (up to 300 pts, 150 pts each), and a final exam (up to 300 pts).  That is a total of 800 possible points.  I will be at least as generous as follows:  A-at least 720; BA-at least 680; B-at least 640; CB- at least 600; C-at least 560; DC-at least 520; D-at least 480. 

Exam dates:  Friday, February 6, and Tuesday, March 24---both in class.  Final exam is Thursday, April 23, 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Collaboration:  You may work together on homework and written assigments, but not quizzes or exams.  If you do work together, or if you receive assistance from someone else, please say so on your paper (e.g., "I worked with George Birkhoff on problems 5 and 7, and with Stephen Smale on problems 10 and 15.").  Each person is responsible for writing up his/her own version of the solution.

Accommodation for Disabilities:  Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact Ms. Beth Denhartigh at 387-2116 or at beth.denhartigh@wmich.edu at the beginning of the semester. A disability determination must be made by this office before any accommodations are provided by the instructor.

Student Conduct and Academic Honesty (wording courtesy of the WMU Faculty Senate's Professional Concerns Committeee):
"You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies, Student Rights and Responsibilities.] 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. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test."

Please visit http://osc.wmich.edu and www.wmich.edu/registrar to access the Code of Honor and general academic policies on such issues as diversity, religious observance, student disabilities, etc.