Differential Equations
MTH 256 - Honors

MWF 1:00-1:50PM
STAG 233
Spring 2011


Professor:

Dr. Nathan Louis Gibson  

Office:

Kidd 312

Office Hours:

MW 2-2:50

Course Website:   

http://www.math.oregonstate.edu/~gibsonn/Teaching/MTH256H-S11

Text Book:

Boyce and DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 9th ed., Wiley & Sons.

General Info

While it may not be stated explicitly each day, students are expected to read each section to be covered before class. Questions not addressed during class time should be asked in recitation. Any questions still unanswered may be asked in office hours. Students should also take full advantage of the tutoring services provided in the MLC (Kidder 108).

Students are responsible for any material missed due to absence, see Calendar.

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.

Students are expected to be familiar with Oregon State University's Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct.

As preparation for this class, you should review the materials covered in MTH 251 and 252.

There are various resources available on the Student Companion Site hosted by the text book publisher. In particular, you may want to look at the Chapter Review Sheets and Web Quizzes.

Grades

Grade Distribution

Homework 100 Points
Forum 50 Points
Labs 50 Points
Midterm 100 Points
Final 200 Points
Total 500 Points

Grade Scale (by percentage)

A 93
A- 90
B+ 87
B 83
B- 80
C+ 77
C 73
C- 70
D+ 67
D 63
D- 60

Homework

Suggested homework problems are your opportunity to practice what you have learned and to determine which areas you need to work on more before taking an exam. You are encouraged to study, and work on homework, in small groups.
Starred homework problems will be collected in class on Mondays.

To be posted as we go.

Labs

To be posted as we go.

Computer Examples

To be posted as we go.

  • Matlab

    The following are options for accessing Matlab at OSU:

    1. The Mathematics Department computer lab is located in the Math Learning Center, Kidder 108.
    2. The computer lab in the Milne basement.
    3. You may have access to Matlab through a computer lab or network of your department. In particular, students can download from here.
    4. If you would like to have Matlab at home, consider purchasing the MATLAB Student Edition.

    The following are online resources for learning Matlab:

  • Matlab Software

    • Supplements

    See also Web Study Guide for Ordinary Differential Equations

    Examples to be posted as we go.

    Exams

    There will be one 50 minute in-class midterm exam, on Friday, May 6, and a cummulative final exam on Wednesday, Jun 8 at 6PM. Note that exam problems will be similar to homework problems. No notes nor books are allowed; however, you may use a basic scientific calculator and a 3 by 5 inch index card with handwritten notes on both sides.

    No make-up midterm exams will given after the scheduled time under any circumstances. Scheduling conflicts with the final exam must be resolved in advance (see AR 16). Note that the times and dates of all final exams are set by the Registrar's Office and are available online as part of the General Catalog and Schedule of Classes.

    Last updated: Wed Aug 17 16:47:43 PDT 2011