NYIT, Old Westbury Campus

School of Arts, Sciences and Communication

Department of Mathematics

 

 

Math 320 – Differential Equations

Class Hours: Mon/Wed : 9:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Spring Term, 2009                                                                    Instructor: Dr. Ranja Roy

Office Hours: Mon- 8:45 AM- 9:30 AM                                   Office: HSH- Room 123

                                                                                                       Tue- 9 AM– 11:30 AM

Wed- 8:45 AM- 9:30 AM                                    Phone: 686-1096

And by appointment.                                           Email: rroy@nyit.edu

 

 

Text: Fundamentals of Differential Equations, by R. K. Nagle, E. B. Saff, and A. D. Snider, 7th ed., Pearson and Addison Wesley, (ISBN 0-321-38841-0)

Calculator: TI-86 required for quizzes, tests and final.

 

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the study of first-order and higher-order linear differential equations, with applications of these topics to mechanics and electrical circuits. A student taking this course will learn to solve higher order differential equations using various techniques such as the method of undetermined coefficients, the variation of parameters and Laplace transforms. Fourier series, separation of variable solutions to partial differential equations will also be covered in this course.  Along with an emphasis of learning algebraic techniques to solve linear differential equations, Math LAB / MathCAD software illustrating how to interpret graphical solutions will be demonstrated in class.

Prerequisite: Math 260.

Course Objectives:  Students will learn to identify different types of ordinary and partial differential equations and to obtain the equations that are satisfied by the differential equation. Throughout the course, the emphasis is on methods of solution. We will demonstrate applications problems to the engineering sciences to re-enforce the conceptual learning both using regular algebraic methods and with MathCAD / Math LAB.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.                  Create and analyze mathematical models based on ordinary differential equations.

2.                  Determine the type of a given differential equation, and if a solution can be obtained, select the appropriate analytical technique for finding the solution.

3.                  Solve algebraically a first order differential equations using separation of variables, integrating factors and exactness criterion.

4.                  Solve algebraically a second order differential equations using the method of undetermined coefficients, variation of parameters and using Laplace transforms.

5.                  Find Fourier series of a function.

6.                  Use the appropriate algebraic methods to solve applied problems in compartmental analysis and Newtonian Mechanics.

7.                  Recognize a partial differential equation with boundary conditions for heat flow and be able to find the heat equation as the particular solution.

Course Outline: We will follow the common course outline prepared by the Mathematics Department. This will cover most of the chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 10. The detailed outline is attached.

 Course Structure: There will be 7 quizzes, 3 tests and a final exam. The worst 2 quiz grades will be dropped for fair evaluation. Please see the attached grading criteria page for details. 

Class Attendance: The last day to add and drop courses is 02/04/09. Attendance will be taken regularly. If you miss more that 5 classes, you are at risk to be given “W” (withdrawn) grade. A student may choose to withdraw from the course anytime during the first 8 weeks of class but this requires the withdrawal paperwork to be signed by the professor. If a student stops attending classes after the 8th week and is failing, the grade will be WF.

Class Policies: No alternative times for the final exams can be scheduled. Make up tests will be allowed only for a documented illness provided you contact me before the test. There will be no make up for quizzes. You may receive a W grade during the first 8 weeks of class with the permission of the instructor. If you stop attending classes after the 8th week and failing, you will receive WF.

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policies:

Plagiarism is the appropriation of all or part of someone else’s works (such as but not limited to writing, coding, programs, images, etc.) and offering it as one’s own. Cheating is using false pretenses, tricks, devices, artifices or deception to obtain credit on an examination or in a college course. If a faculty member determines that a student has committed academic dishonesty by plagiarism, cheating or in any other manner, the faculty has the academic right to 1) fail the student for the paper, assignment, project and/or exam, and/or 2) fail the student for the course and/or 3) bring the student up on disciplinary charges, pursuant to Article VI, Academic Conduct Proceedings, of the Student Code of Conduct.

 

Study Suggestions: Learning the material covered in this course requires a good knowledge from Integral and multivariable calculus. Please review any topic from calculus that you may have forgotten and we are using in the teaching of Differential equations. Apart from doing homework regularly, it is very important to spend some extra hours to review class notes and understand the concepts clearly. A good knowledge of class material with problems covered in class work and homework is key to getting a good grade in the course. If you are having difficulties understanding any class work or homework, please see me during my office hours to discuss on a one-on-one basis. Please do not hesitate to ask questions during lectures and outside class.

 

Let us together make this course a rewarding experience. Best of luck!!!