Syllabus for Math 386

Syllabus for Math 386, Section X1, Spring 2007

Instructor: Richard Laugesen, laugesen@uiuc.edu
Class meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12:00-12:50pm, 245 Altgeld Hall

Homework: www.math.uiuc.edu/~laugesen/386/homework.html
Quiz topics: www.math.uiuc.edu/~laugesen/386/quizzes.html
Handouts: www.math.uiuc.edu/~laugesen/386/handouts.html
Anonymous student feedback: on the course and/or the Iode software and projects

Office: 376 Altgeld Hall, tel: 333-1329
Office Hours: Tuesday 3-4pm, Thursday 3-4pm or by email appointment.
Homework session: Monday 5-6pm in Altgeld 141.
Text: C. H. Edwards and D. E. Penney, Differential equations and boundary value problems: Computing and modeling, 3rd edition. We cover most of Chapters 1,2,3,4,5 and 9.

This section of Math 386 will have a computer component, using the free software package Iode. A couple of times during the semester the class will meet at an EWS lab, and half the homework assignments will have a computer component. You do not need any prior computing experience, for this.

Homework

Due weekly to the tray outside 376 Altgeld

25%

Quizzes

15 minutes each, five times during the semester

Test 1 Information, and Practice Test 1 and Solutions (missing some hand-drawn figures)

Tuesday 20 February, in class

15%

Test 2 Information, Practice Test 2 and Solutions (missing some hand-drawn figures)

Tuesday 3 April, in class

15%

Final Exam Information, and Practice Exam and Brief Answers

Tuesday 8 May, 7:00-10:00pm

40%

Note. The Practice Tests and Exam only cover Chapters 1,2,3,9, and provide no practice on Chapters 4,5.

You may not use books, notes, or electronic devices during the tests or exam.
Make up tests will be given only if you present written evidence, as soon as possible, that you did (or will have to) miss an exam for a legitimate reason, e.g. illness or family emergency. Travel and leisure plans are never a legitimate reason. Late homework will be accepted only if you get an extension from me.

There is no formula fixed in advance for turning your numerical score into a letter grade. But after each test, I will indicate approximate grade ranges, so that you have some idea of how you are doing.

How to Succeed: Always re-work your lecture notes before the next class, checking every step and filling in missing details. (Allow 1 hour for this.) Read the text as you re-work your notes. The text helps give you the big picture. Before each class, ask me about the points you didn't follow in the last class! Go over your HW solutions the day you get them back, debriefing on your successes and your mistakes. Be happy with the successes, and learn from the mistakes.