COURSE 110.302

SPRING 2005

Instructor:Chikako Mese

Office:Krieger 241

Office hours:10-noon Monday

Email:cmese@math.jhu.edu

Telephone:x64518

Description:This is an introductory course on differential equations which emphasizes the techniques of solving ordinary differential equations, the properties of the solutions of these equations, and applications to engineering and the sciences. The topics to be covered include first order equations, trajectories, linear differential equations, power series solutions, Laplace transform, Fourier series, systems of linear differential equations, plane autonomous systems, critical points and stability. Applications to mechanics, heat conduction, vibrations, ecological systems and electric circuits will be discussed.

Prerequisites:Calculus II

Text: Boyce and DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 8^th Edition

Exams: There will be 2 mid-term exams and a final exam.  There will be no make-up exams. For excused absences, the grade for a missed exam will be a scaled average of subsequent exam grades. Documentation of illness, etc., must be provided to and approved by the Office of Academic Advising. Unexcused absence from an exam counts as a 0.

Assignments:The weekly homework assignments will be collected in the section meetings (on Thursdays or Fridays depending on which section you are enrolled in). Late homework will not be accepted under any circumstances (including excused absence). The two lowest (or missing) homework scores will be dropped.You are allowed to collaborate with other students in this course on the weekly problem sets.On the other hand, each individual is required to contribute equally during collaboration and to fully understand the solution to each and every problem. Each individual is expected to hand in his/her own solution set.

Grading:Weekly problem sets 15%, Midterms 25% each, and Final 35%

Ethics guideline:The strength of the university depends on academic and personal integrity. In this course, you must be honest and truthful. Ethical violations include cheating on exams, plagiarism, reuse of assignments, improper use of the Internet and electronic devices, unauthorized collaboration