Math 285. Differential Equations
Iode version Syllabus for Instructors
Text: Edwards and Penney, Differential Equations with Boundary
Value Problems: Computing and Modelling, Custom Edition for the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Pearson Custom Publishing, 2008.
Note: This custom edition is taken from Edwards and Penney, Differential
Equations with Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modelling, Fourth
Edition. It is identical to the fourth edition except that Chapters 5,
6, 7, and 8 have been removed. If students would prefer to use the full
fourth edition, this should not be a problem. The full fourth edition
is the standard text for Math 286.
About Iode
Iode is a software package developed in this department by Peter Brinkmann,
Richard Laugesen, and Robert Jerrard for use in Math 285 and similar classes.
It can be installed and learned in minutes. Information and basic orientation
on Iode is available from Richard Laugesen.
Iode sections of Math 285 mostly follow a traditional lecture format,
but the class also meets a few times over the course of the semester in
computer labs, and some homework assignments involve work with Iode. The
syllabus is correspondingly slightly different from the traditional syllabus.
Chapter 1 - First Order ODEs (7 hours)
- Sections 1.1 through 1.3 (3 hours)
- Iode Lab 1: Introduction to Iode, and slope fields (1 hour)
- Sections 1.4 through 1.6 (3 hours)
Chapter 2 - More on First Order ODEs (4 hours)
- Section 2.2: Equilibrium Solutions and Stability [parts of Section
2.1 could be incorporated here also] (1 hour)
- Sections 2.4 and 2.5, and Iode Lab 2: Euler's method and refinements
(3 hours)
Chapter 3 - Linear Equations of Higher Order (14 hours)
- Sections 3.1 and 3.2: General material on existence and uniqueness
of solutions of linear equations. (3 hours)
- Section 3.3: Homogeneous constant coefficient equations (2 hours)
- Iode Lab 3: Second order equations (1 hour)
- Section 3.4: Mechanical vibrations (2 hours)
- Section 3.5: Nonhomogeneous equations (2.5 hours)
- Section 3.6: Forced oscillations and resonance (1.5 hours)
- Section 3.8: Endpoint problems (2 hours)
Chapter 9 - Fourier Series Methods (13 hours)
- Sections 9.1 and 9.2: Fourier series (3 hours)
- Iode Lab 4: Convergence of fourier series (1 hour)
- Section 9.3: Fourier sine and cosine series, termwise differentiation
(2 hours)
- Section 9.4: Applications of Fourier series (1 hour)
- Section 9.5: Heat conduction and separation of variables (2 hours)
- Section 9.6: Vibrating strings and the wave equation via separation
of variables (2 hours)
- Section 9.7: Steady-state temperature and Laplace's equation via separation
of variables - emphasize the semi-infinite strip and the disk (2 hours)
Examinations, review, and leeway (5 hours)
Total: 43 hours
Notes:
In Section 2.2, Laugesen strongly recommends drawing all phase lines vertically
rather than horizontally. That is, if you have a DE of the form dy/dx=f(y)
then draw the phase line vertically as the y-axis. [This allows students
to easily sketch solution curves in combination with the phase line, a
task they otherwise find very difficult when using horizontal phase lines
as drawn in the textbook.]
Using Iode in Your Class
The developers of Iode have written a number of Iode Labs and Projects.
These are available on the Iode web page, along with solutions for the Projects.
Projects are intended as homework assignments and Labs as in-class exercises,
but instructors are welcome to use the material as they see fit, and also
to suggest modifications or additions to the existing archive of Iode-related
materials.
This syllabus devotes one hour to each of 4 Iode Labs, although experience
has shown that only the first 2 Labs really *require* class time. It is
possible to cover the later Iode material by a combination of standard
classroom lectures and abundant office hours in the lab. However, we strongly
recommend that every Iode section meet in the lab for the first two Iode
Labs, which both occur during the first third of the semester. This forces
students to get acquainted with the software and drives home the point
that Iode is an essential part of the course. We also strongly recommend
that Iode Projects 1 and 2 be assigned as homework. Note Iode "Projects"
are designed to accompany the Iode "Labs", and can be assigned as homework
soon after the lab sessions.
For Iode Labs it is necessary to reserve lab space in advance in the
Engineering Work Stations (EWS) labs. This is done very easily using an
online system; for more information ask Richard Laugesen. Instructors
should also reserve lab space for office hours when assigning Iode Projects.
TAs can be asked to help out with lab office hours.
"The computer labs we use have only about 35 terminals. Instructors with larger classes can reserve two adjacent labs in Engineering Hall, or else can reserve one lab hour during the normal class period and another one in late afternoon (for example)."
Assessment
Students will react more favorably to the required Iode work, and will learn
more from it, if the exams always cover some material from Iode Labs and
Projects. For example, an instructor could ask questions about long-time
behavior of solutions or about convergence of Fourier series, questions
that assess student comprehension of the relevant Projects. Students can
prepare for this by writing a one paragraph summary of the main conclusions
from each Project.