Math 211: Ordinary Differential Equations

Summer 2009, May 12^th-May 29^th

MTWThF 1pm-4:05pm

Herman Brown 427

Instructor: Janine Dahl

Web:   www.owlnet.rice.edu/~jd4793

Contact:  Janine.dahl at rice dot edu

            713-348-2786 (office)

            Herman Brown Hall, office 48 (basement)

Office Hours:  MTWThF 11:30-12:30.     Feel free to contact me outside of these hours. I will usually be around after class.

Course Description:  Study of ordinary differential equations (e.g., solutions to separable and linear first-order equations and to higher-order linear equations with constant coefficients, the properties of solutions to differential equations, and numerical solution methods) and linear algebra (e.g., vector spaces and solutions to algebraic linear equations, dimension, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors of a matrix), as well as the application of linear algebra to first-order systems of differential equations and the qualitative theory of nonlinear systems and phase portraits.

Textbook: Differential Equations, Polking, Boggess and Arnold, 2^nd ed. 

Grading:  Your final course grade will be 20% attendance/participation/homework, two midterm exams at 25% each, and one final exam counting for the remaining 30%.  All assessment will be based on your ability to communicate a correct solution and explain your reasoning.  It is absolutely essential to write clearly; it is your responsibility to write in a way that tells the instructor that you understand the problem and its solution.  To this end, I reserve the right to take off points for poor presentation.

Homework:  Assignments will be announced in class and also posted online.  Working with other students in the class when solving homework problems is encouraged.  Homework will not be graded, but you will be required to present problems at the beginning of class. It is also important to complete the homework to ensure complete understanding of the material, and as a way to prepare for exams.

Exams:  There will be two take-home three-hour midterm exams given on Friday May 15^th due Monday May 18^th, and given Friday May 22^nd due Tuesday May 26^th.  The take-home three-hour final exam will be given on Friday May 29^th and due by Tuesday June 2^nd at noon.  Please notify me as soon as possible if this time will not work for you.

Honor Code:  You are expected to abide by the Rice Honor Code.  Please visit http://honor.rice.edu/ and read the Student Handbook.  I will remind you of all of the exact rules prior to the first midterm.

Accommodations:  Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first two weeks of class.  All discussions will remain confidential.  Students with disabilities should also contact Disability Support Services in the Ley Student Center.