Syllabus
Math 246 Fall 2002


Professor: Mike Sullivan (sullivan@math.umd.edu)
Office: Room 2312, Math Building (I am two floors up from the classroom.)
Office hours: MW 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. and F 1:00 - 1:50 p.m., but feel free to drop by at other times.
Phone: 301-405-5458 [Voice mail works, but will say Prof. Wolpert instead of Sullivan.]
Webpage: www.math.umd.edu/~sullivan/246.html
Official Course Theme Song: Crawling In The Dark, by Hoobastank.

Course title: Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers
Lectures: MWF 10:00-10:50 A.M., Math Building, room 0307.
Prerequisites: MATH 141 and any one of the following: MATH 240, ENES 102, PHYS 161 or PHYS 171.
Description: An introduction to the basic methods of solving ordinary differential equations. Equations of first and second order, linear differential equations, Laplace transforms, numerical methods and the qualitative theory of differential equations.
Textbooks: Elementary Differential Equations, 7th ed., by Boyce and DiPrima, & Differential Equations with MATLAB, by Coombes, et al.
Syllabus: You are responsible for (1) Boyce & DiPrima: Chapter 1; Chapter 2, sections 1-7; Chapter 8, sections 1-4; Chapter 3, sections 1-8; Chapter 6, sections 1-4; Chapter 7, sections 1-6 and 8; Chapter 9, sections 1-5; AND (2) Coombes et al: Chapters 1-8 and 11-13.

Grading: The weighting on your course score points (600 possible) will be

Exam dates: (tentative) Exam 1: Friday, Oct. 4; Exam 2: Friday Nov. 1; Exam 3: Friday Dec. 6. Final Exam: Monday Dec 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (location of final TBA).
Calculators: Calculators are NOT allowed on midterm tests, or on the final. You may use a programmable graphics calculator for some homework problems.
Homework: Click here for homework assignments. Assignments will normally be due each Friday. Late homework will not be accepted. Click here for homework guidelines.
Quizzes: If students are coming to class and doing well on the homework we won't have quizzes. Otherwise,...
Course Grades. Here is the correspondence of course grade and percentage of possible points scored: A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F 0-59%. It is possible that the curve will be relaxed, but this is by no means assured. The curve won't be made tougher.

No Cheating: See the link: The new honor pledge, and academic integrity.
E-mail: Students may get e-mail throughout the semester from Prof. Sullivan. E-mail is sent by a course reflector to email addresses officially registered with the University, and students are responsible for maintaining a correct address. If your official email address is not correct, then click here to update it.
Official calendar: Click here for the academic calendar and final exam schedule.
Computer help: You are to use the computer program MATLAB for some homework assignments. It is your responsibility to learn how to use it. But you can get help from tutors provided by the Math Department. See: Peer Tutoring, and Computer Help. Also see: Software info and computer labs.
Religious observances: If your religion dictates that you cannot take an exam or hand in assigned work on a particular date, then contact me at the beginning of the semester to discuss alternatives. You are responsible for making these arrangements at the beginning of the semester.
Disabilities: If you have some disability related to testing under the usual timed, in-class conditions, you may contact the office of Disabled Students Services (DSS) in Shoemaker. If they assess you as meriting private conditions and/or extra time, then you may arrange to take your tests at DSS, with extra time as they indicate. You must arrange this well in advance of a test (in particular: no retakes). Click to Disability Support Services for further information.
Grades via the web: Go to http://www.math.umd.edu/grades/MATH246.0401.html to see your grades. If you no longer wish your grades to be posted, or you want your alias changed, e-mail me immediately.
Old Exams Testbank: (Click to visit the Mathematics Department's online bank of past examinations.)