Engineering Differential Equations MATH.2360-201
Spring 2019
Syllabus
General Course Information
Meeting times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday 8:00 - 8:50
Location: Monday, Wednesday, Friday in Olney Hall room 517; Tuesday in Southwick Hall room 317
Prerequisites: Calculus I and II (MATH.1310 and MATH.1320)
Class attendance is not required but is strongly recommended. You are responsible for all information (course material, assignments, changes in exam dates, etc.) presented in class, whether you attend or not.
Student Affairs Information and Services for Students
Student Affairs Information and Services for Students
Contacting the Instructor
Email: stephen_pennell@uml.edu
Phone: (978) 934-2710
Fax: (978) 934-3053
Office: Olney 428J
Office Hours:
M 9 - 10, W 9 - 10, in Olney 428J
F 11 - 12 in Southwick 321.
Meetings at times other than my office hours can be arranged by appointment. See me after class, call me, or send me an email message.
Course Description
Many physical systems can be described mathematically by one or more differential equations. Examples include mechanical oscillators, electrical circuits, and chemical reactions, to name just three. In this course you will learn what a differential equation is, and you will learn techniques for solving some common types of equations. You will also learn techniques for obtaining information about the solutions of equations which cannot be solved analytically. Finally, you will learn how differential equations can be used to describe physical phenomena, and you will use your knowledge of differential equations to analyze these phenomena. These skills will be useful to you in your other science and engineering courses and in your career.
Course Objectives
My goals for this course are for you to
- develop a qualitative understanding of the nature of differential equations, their solutions, and their applications;
- learn qualitative techniques for obtaining information about solutions to differential equations;
- learn analytical techniques for solving commonly occurring differential equations;
- learn numerical methods for finding approximate solutions to differential equations that cannot be solved analytically;
- apply your knowledge of differential equations to problems in engineering; and
- develop an understanding of the mathematical modeling process.
I would appreciate hearing your goals for the course.
Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcomes
This course is designated as satisfying the requirement for the Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS) and Quantitative Literacy (QL) Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO’s).
Textbook
Edwards, Penney, & Calvis, Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modeling, 5th ed, Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2015. The third or fourth edition can also be used.
Grading Policy
Course grades
Course grades will be based on homework, 3 exams, a project, and a comprehensive final exam. Your pre-final average is based on the homework, 3 exams, and project. The lowest of these 5 scores counts for 8% of your pre-final average, and the other 4 scores each count for 23% of your pre-final average. Your course average is based on your pre-final average and your final exam score. If your grade on the final exam is greater than or equal to your pre-final average, then your pre-final average and your final exam score each count for 50% of your course average. If your grade on the final exam is less than your pre-final average, then your pre-final average counts for 80% of your course average and your final exam score counts for 20% of your course average.
Your letter grade for the course will be determined from your course average according to the following table:
| Average |
[93, 100) |
[90, 93) |
[87, 90) |
[83, 87) |
[80, 83) |
[77, 80) |
[73, 77) |
[70, 73) |
[67, 70) |
[60, 67) |
[0, 60) |
| Grade |
A |
A- |
B+ |
B |
B- |
C+ |
C |
C- |
D+ |
D |
F |
|
Tentative exam dates
- Monday, February 11
- Wednesday, March 6
- Monday, April 8
Tentative project due dates
- First draft due Friday, March 22
- Optional revision due Friday, April 19
Homework
In order for you to understand the material in this course, it is extremely important that you do the assigned homework problems. Working with your classmates can be a great help, and I strongly encourage it. I also urge you to ask questions about any problems that give you trouble.
Homework problems are due the second class day after we finish covering the material. Late homework will be accepted without penalty up to one week after the due date; late homework will not be accepted more than one week after the due date for any reason. Your grade on a homework assignment will be based on the percentage of the assigned problems you turn in and on the correctness of your solutions to one randomly selected problem. Your lowest three homework scores will be dropped. The last three homework assignments are optional; they will be averaged into your homework grade only if they pull up your average
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University and sanctions may be imposed on any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty. Details on UML policy can be found at http://www.uml.edu/Catalog/Undergraduate/Policies/Academic-Policies/Academic-Integrity.aspx. Note in particular that any incident which results in some action being taken must be reported to the Provost's Office.
Exam Policy
It is important that everyone take the same exams under the same conditions for maximum fairness and reliability of testing. I therefore do not give makeup exams unless you have a valid reason (for example, illness or religious holiday) for missing the scheduled exam, and I do not allow extra time on exams unless you have a note from Disability Services. If you have to miss a scheduled exam, please let me know ahead of time if at all possible. I am much more likely to be sympathetic if you call me the morning of the exam and say "I have the flu and can't take the exam" than if you come in two days after the exam and say "I missed the exam. When can I take a makeup?"
Cell phone use is not permitted during exams. Sharing calculators or formula sheets is not permitted during exams.
Tips on Preparing for Exams
- Start studying for an exam at least one week ahead of time. Focus your studying on the topics listed on the review sheet.
- Prepare your formula sheet. Include the topics listed on the review sheet.
- Begin by reviewing the homework problems for the sections that will be covered on the exam. Make sure you know how to solve each problem without looking at the solution manual. If you cannot solve a particular problem, make a note of the problem number and move on to the next problem.
- Ask me or someone else for help on any homework problem that gave you trouble, then try to solve a similar problem from the textbook.
- Two days before the exam, try taking the practice exam. Take the practice exam under actual exam conditions. Use only your formula sheet, calculator, and integral tables. Do not look at the answers, and give yourself only 50 minutes.
- Ask me or someone else for help on any practice exam problem that gave you trouble, then try to solve a similar problem from the textbook.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam. You will perform better if you are fresh and able to think clearly.
Tips on Taking Exams
- Read every question on the exam before you start working. This will give you a feel for how long the exam is and how you should pace yourself. It will also give your subconscious mind a chance to start working on the questions.
- If you are not sure what a question means, please ask me. I am trying to see how well you know the material, not to trick you with ambiguous wording.
- Look at the point value of each question. Obviously, it is more important to do well on the questions that count the most than the ones that count the least.
- It is generally best to do the easiest problem first, then the next easiest, and so on. You do not have to do the problems in the order they appear on the exam.
- If you get stuck on one question, move on to the next. Come back later to the question that is giving you trouble.
- Be aware of how much time you have left. Do not spend too much time on a single question. It is generally better to get partial credit on every question than full credit on a single question.
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Steve Pennell | (978) 934-2710 | stephen_pennell@uml.edu
Last Updated: January 28, 2019