Math 309 Differential Equations Syllabus
 
Fall 2005
Monday, Friday 1:00 – 2:15, Wednesday 1:00 – 1:50 in Science Center 112W
 

Instructor:  Jim Wiseman
Office:  Buttrick 331
Phone:  x6202
Email:  jwiseman@agnesscott.edu

Office hours:  Tuesday 3-5, Wednesday 3-4, and by appointment
Course information:  Available on Blackboard and the course website, http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat309
 
Textbook:  Blanchard, Devaney, and Hall, Differential Equations, 2nd ed., available in the bookstore.
 
Plan:  We'll cover most of chapters 1-6, plus some material on partial differential equations.  There's a more detailed schedule on Blackboard and at http://ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat309/schedule.html, but it's subject to change.
 
Homework:  Working problems is vital to learning math; there will be homework assignments nearly every week.  Assignments will be posted on Blackboard and at http://www.ecademy.agnesscott.edu/~jwiseman/mat309/assignments.html – you are responsible for checking the assignments, as I won't give them in class.  You don't have to turn in the homework, but please don't take that as an invitation not to do it.  I will spot-check some of the problems using E-grade.
 
Honor code and group work: All students are expected to follow the honor code throughout the semester.
I strongly encourage you to work on the homework in groups.  I suggest that you work on the problems by yourself first, making a note of anything giving you trouble; then meet with your group and work through the remaining problems together; and finally write up the solutions by yourself.  You must work on E-grade by yourself.
 
Getting help:  As Talking Barbie says, "Math class is tough."  (Unless she's the hacked version - then she says, "Eat lead, Cobra.")  Chances are that sooner or later you'll get stuck on something, so don't get frustrated.  Think hard, and if you're still stuck, do something else for a while.  (It's amazing how often that works.)
My office hours are above - these are times when I'm guaranteed to be in my office and willing to talk.  If you want to see me at other times, the best thing to do is to set up an appointment with me by email or after class.  Of course, you're welcome to just drop by my office, as long as you don't mind if I'm not there or don't have time to talk.
Finally, I can't emphasize enough that your classmates are your best source of help.
 
Course goals:
 
Exams:  We will have two midterm exams and one final exam, all closed-book.  The midterms are in-class exams, and the final is self-scheduled.  The first midterm covers all material up to that point, the second covers all material since the first, and the final is cumulative.
 
Final project:  During the last full week of classes, you will turn in a differential equations project.  The project consists of a paper and a 30-minute in-class presentation.  The paper is due at the beginning of class on Monday, 12/12; the exact time of your presentation will be determined later.  Here are more details and a list of possible topics.
 
Assessment:  Your grade will be based on:
Letter grades will be given as follows: 90 and above is an A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, below 60 F.
 
Late assignments and exams: Late assignments won't be accepted, and you won't be allowed to make up missed exams, except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g., the sasquatch attacks - and even then you should get a note from the sasquatch).  In the case of a conflict that you absolutely can't resolve, you may arrange to take a midterm exam early.
 
Attendance:  I expect you to be at every class, on time.  However, tardiness or absence will have no (direct) effect on your grade.
 
Feedback: I'm very interested in your feedback throughout the class:  what you like, what you don't, what's working for you, what isn't - anything that you think might help me make the course better.  If you have any comments (and you probably should), the easiest thing to do is to talk to me (or send email) about them.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can fill out the anonymous feedback form on Blackboard.


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