Math 285

Differential Equations
Syllabus

Instructor:         Cary Lee, Ph.D.
Office:              Techmall 70-211
Telephone:         644 -7894
Office Hours:      Mon, Wed  12:30 - 1:30pm,
                          T,Th  12:30 - 2pm
e-mail:                cary.lee@gcccd.edu
website:              http://www.grossmont.edu/people/cary-lee/default

Course Content
This course is an introduction to ordinary differential eqiuations including both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as applications in a variety of disciplines. Introduces the theoretical aspects of differential equations and system of equations, including the determination of the existence of solutions and various techiques for obtaining solutions (separation of variables, variation of parameters, serious solutions, Laplace transforms, etc.)

Textbook:

A first course in
Differential Equations

tenth edition
Dennis G. Zill

Brooks/Cole ISBN 13: 978-1-111-82705-2

Course Prerequisite: The basic requirement is a grade C or better in Math 280, but the successful completion of Math 284 will be recommended.

Calculator requirement: Any graphing calculator such as TI82, 83, 84, 86, or 92 will be sufficient. Most of the exercises required symbolic integration and should be done by hand. Only a few sections in the textbook requires numeric approximations and hence requires a scientific or graphing calculator.

Grades: This course is offered for a grade of A, B, C, D, or F. The grade distribution is as follows:

A	.........	90 - 100%
B	.........	80 - 89%
C	.........	70 - 79%
D	.........	60 - 69%
F	.........	00 - 59%

Assignments:

5 short quizzes @25 pts	125
2 one-hour exams @100 pts	200
Final Exam	150
________________________________________
Total	475

Homework will be assigned at the end of each class meeting, and if you are eager to do the exercises in advance, you can get the assignment from the next webpage (see top of page).

Expectation of Students:

Attend all classes and take notes.
Read the text book before and after each lecture. There is so much material to be covered in this course that it is impossible for the lecturer to include all the details in class.
Work out the details and fill in the steps at home for the examples discussed in class. You cannot expect to understand everything instantly during lecture hours because the lectures will be conducted in a pace much faster than you have encountered in Math 280. You can only expect to grasp the main ideas first, and then slowly digest the material through reading, thinking, and practicing later at home.
Form study groups with fellow students, work together in the library or outside school. This is the best way to learn and check your understanding.
Do all assigned homework problems on a daily basis. Work out the details and aim for perfection.

Academic Integrity:

Any student who cheats on any of the tests, or disrupts the class or hinders the progress of any other student will be dropped from the class, and his/her misconduct will be stored in Grossmont College's record.

Last Updated: 01/26/2016

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Math 285