WUSTL, Summer 2018, Math 217: Differential Equations

Latest Updates/News/Reminders:

• Notes (August 13)

Instructor: Mohammad Jabbari, jabbari@wustl.edu

Class Meeting: MTWRF--, 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm, Cupples II, Room 200

First and Last Day of Classes: From 7/16/2018 to 8/16/2018

Important Dates: Midterm (July 31), Final (August 16)

Webpage: https://www.math.wustl.edu/~jabbari/diffeq2018.

Course Content: We learn how to model dynamical phenomena in science and engineering by differential equations, and how to analyse those equations.

Texts and References: I will follow my own notes (downloable from the third line of this page). A standard reference is Edwards, C. H., D. E. Penney and D. T. Calvis, Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modeling, Fifth Edition, Pearson Education Inc., 2015. A very readable reference is Simmons, G. F., Differential Equations with Applications and Historical Notes, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1991.

Prerequisites: Basic calculus, for example Taylor expansion in several variables, and line integrals. Multiple integration is not needed.

Grading:

• 100% = Homeworks (40%) + Midterm (30%) + Final (30%). Active attendance in class adds extra 10%.
• The usual ten-point scale will be used (A: 90-100, B: 80-89, C: 70-79, D: 60-69, F: 0-59); however, if necessary, adjustments will be made to arrive at a standard grade distribution for the course. For students taking the course with the Pass/Fail option, the threshold for a passing grade will be a "C".
• Some days before the Midterm and Final exams, I will provide you with practice exams, so that you find out the structure of the real exams. At most one week after each exam students can check for their grades through WebSTAC.

Homework: You will have one or two homework problems per day through WeBWorK.

Attendance: You are strongly suggested to attend the lectures. No talk, food or drink is allowed in class.

Learning Disabilities: It is the right of any student with a certified learning disability to request necessary accommodation. Such requests must be made well in advance of the time that the accommodation is required and a letter of documentation from the Cornerstone office must be presented at the time of any request.

Academic Integrity: All students are expected to adhere to the University's academic integrity policy.

Online Calculators:

• Symboic Calculations (Wolfram Alpha)
• Plotting multiple curves in plane
• Plotting slope fields
• MIT mathlets