Syllabus for M242  Spring 2008

Professor: Dr. Robert Decker

Office, phone, and e-mail: Dana 231, 768-4677, rdecker@hartford.edu.

Web Site:  uhaweb.hartford.edu/rdecker

Office Hours: Tues, Thurs 3:00-5:30

Text: Differential Equations by Dr. Noonburg and Dr. Decker

Calculator:  The TI-89 will be used in class, on quizzes and tests, and for labs.

Software:  Downloadable applets written by Dr. Decker will be made available from the above website, and will be incorporated into homework and lab assignments.

Grading:  Your grade will be based on 10% for homework reports, 15% for quizzes, 15% apiece for 2 exams, 20% for labs, and 25% for the final exam. Webwork will count as extra credit, for an additional possible 5%.

Homework/homework reports: Homework from the textbook will be assigned each day; at the beginning of each class period we will go over the previous assignment. The following class, you must bring in a homework report on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper, with the answers to each even numbered homework problem on it, or a brief explanation of what why you had trouble with the given problem. Also include any general questions you have about the most recent section (either odd or even problems), or any previous section. Additional homework will be assigned via an internet-based homework system called Webwork.

Labs:  Labs will be longer problems that will require some analysis of data or computer output.  The labs will make use of the TI-89 calculator and some graphing applets, and each student will turn in a complete write-up of the lab. Think of these labs as papers; you will be graded on the quality of your writing. Include an introduction, a presentation of results with an explanation of what each graph or table represents, and a summary that ties together all of the ideas that you want to present to the reader of your paper. Don’t write the paper for me; write it for a casual reader who is trying learn something from your work. Use Microsoft Word and its built-in equation editor for math symbols (a free alternative is Open Office). You may discuss the labs with other students and with me, but YOUR FINAL PAPER MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK.

Quizzes: There will be 3 quizzes, each about 1/2 hour in length. You will need your TI-89 calculator for the quizzes.

Course Outline:

Week	Sections
Jan 24	1.1, 1.2
Jan 29, 31	2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Feb 5, 7	Quiz 1, 2.4, 2.6
Feb 12, 14	2.7, Start Lab 1
Feb 19, 21	Review, Exam I
Feb 26, 28	3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
March 4, 6	Lab 1 due, 3.5, 3.7
March 11, 13	Quiz 2, 3.8, Lab 2
March 18, 20	Spring Break
March 25, 27	5.1, 5.2
April 1, 3	5.3, 5.4
April 8, 10	Lab 2 due, Review, Exam II
April 15, 17	6.1, 6.2, Lab 3
April 22, 24	4.1, 4.2, 4.3
April 29, May 1	4.4, Quiz 3, 6.3, Lab 3 due
May 6	Review