Prerequisites: MATH 2260 or 2310H or 2410 or 2410H  at UGA or its equivalents

Syllabus and Objectives of the Course: The theory of Differential Equations is a continuation of Calculus of One Variable. The objective of this course is to study analytic, qualitative/geometric and numerical methods of elementary ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and their applications. We will use the computer program that comes with the textbook for qualitative/geometric and numerical methods. Applications will include modelling physical and biological processes with differential equations. We will cover Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 of the text (omitting sections 2.7-2.8, 3.8, 4.5, 6.6).

This course is intended to serve as a forum to facilitate your active learning of the material. You are responsible for understanding the material and keeping up with the course, not just showing up for the class. You are expected to be able to demonstrate your understanding of the material by solving the problems similar to those covered in class, not just repeating things exactly like the ones shown in class.

Homework, Quizzes and Exams: There will be two midterms and a final exam. There will also be frequent quizzes based on uncollected homework assignments. Doing homework is the most important component of the course. You are expected to do homework on your own everyday. It is impossible to learn the material in this course well without doing enough problems. Problems on quizzes and exams will be similar to the problems in homework assignment. Experience shows that students who do not take homework seriously do not learn the material well and perform poorly on the exams and most of them fail. For example, you may fail if you do homework only when exams are near. Quizzes are open book/notes; exams are closed book/notes. There will be no make-up quizzes or exams except extreme cases (example: a regular doctor's appointment is not an extreme case). Missed quizzes and exams will be assigned the score 0. Make sure to have your questions answered before exams. Click Here for Homework.

Remember: No one becomes a good swimmer by just watching others swim; likewise, no one learns mathematics well by just going to lectures.

Important Dates From UGA Calendar:

Collaboration and Academic Honesty: You are strongly encouraged to form study groups to work on your homework and discuss the material of the course. However, you must do independent work on quizzes and exams. In particular, I absolutely am forbidden to help you on exams. Above all, UGA Academic Honesty Policy applies. Excerpts from the UGA Academic Honesty Policy: "Every student has an obligation to be informed concerning the terms of this policy. Accordingly, lack of knowledge of the provisions of this policy is not an  acceptable defense to a charge of violating this policy."

Grading Policy (Partly based on class participation): Homework/Quizzes 25%; Midterms 40%; Final Exam 35%.      
Un-Excused absences -1% for the 1st; -2% for the 2nd; -4% for the 3rd; 4th and more, see Class Attendance and Participation above.   
Letter grades are normally given as follows (numbers are in percentages): A = 90 to 100; A- = 88 to 90-; B+ = 85 to 88-; B = 80 to 85-; B- = 78 to 80-; C+ = 75 to 78-; C = 70 to 75-; C- = 65 to 70-; D = 55 to 65-; F = 0 to 55-.

Tutoring information can be found at: http://www.math.uga.edu/undergraduate/student_services.html, including free tutoring and other services.

Students in need of academic accommodation should contact the Disability Resource Center (706) 542-8719 , and let me know the necessary accomodation. See  http://www.drc.uga.edu/about/welcomeletter.php

Disclaimer: This syllabus provides a general guide for the course. Deviation may be necessary  (also see Class Attendance and Participation above).