Math 2403: Differential Equations                              Fall 2009

Lecture Meetings: Howey (Physics) L2, Monday and Wednesday 3:05--4:25 p.m.

Instructor: Professor Silas Alben

Email: alben at math.gatech.edu (the best way to contact me).

Office: Skiles 238, tel. 404-894-3312
Office hours: Tu., Th. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (subject to change) or by appointment.

Recitations

• Section M1: TR 3:05-3:55 p.m. D.M. Smith 104
  • TA: Maria Reguera-Rodriguez
  • Email:  mreguera at math.gatech.edu
  • Office Hours: M 11 - 12, W 1 - 2, Skiles 162
  • Math Lab: M 4 - 5
• Section M2: TR 3:05-3:55 p.m. Skiles 243
  • TA: Bulent Tosun
  • Email:  btosun3 at math.gatech.edu
  • Office Hours: Th 1:30 - 2:30, Skiles 146B
  • Math Lab: Tu 1 - 2

• Section M3: TR 3:05-3:55 p.m. Engr Science 201
  • TA: Ranjini Vaidyanathan
  • Email:  rvaidyanathan6 at math.gatech.edu
  • Office Hours: M 4:30 - 5:30, Skiles 146B
  • Math Lab: W 4 - 5

• Textbook: Differential Equations: An introduction to modern methods and applications by Brennan and Boyce, John Wiley & Sons 2007


• Prerequisites: MATH 1502 Calculus II
• Course Description: Methods for obtaining numerical and analytic solutions of elementary differential equations. Applications are also discussed with an emphasis on modeling.
• Tentative outline
  • Introduction and Euler's method
  • First Order Differential equations
  • Systems of two first order equations
  • Second order linear equations
  • Laplace Transform Methods
  • Systems of first order equations
  • Nonlinear Differential Equations and Stability

• Homework: Students are strongly encouraged to solve most of the homework problems right after each class.


• Quizzes (25%): There will be quizzes during the recitation sections which will be based on the homework materials. No make up quizzes are allowed, but the lowest score will be dropped. 


• Exams (75%): There will be two 80-minute exams (20% each) and a final (35%).
  In general there will be no make-up exams. In case of serious illness, doctor's note is required, and for student organization excused absences, your advisor's notice is required no later than two weeks prior to the date of the event.

HONOR CODE: All students are expected to comply with the Georgia Tech Honor code. Please review the student code of conduct.