Differential Equations

Class Hours: MWF 9:00-9:50
Prerequisite: MATH 231 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry), or equivalent

Textbook: Elementary Differential Equations, 8^th Edition
Authors: W. E. Boyce & R. C. DiPrima, Publisher: WILEY, ISBN: 0-471-43339-X

About the course:

Formulation of fundamental natural laws and technological problems in the form of rigorous
mathematical models is given prevalently in terms of differential equations (equations that involve
functions of a single variable as well as derivatives of these functions). Therefore, differential
equations is a most important discipline in mathematical education. Several questions naturally arise.

o Just what is a differential equation and what does it signify ?
o Where and how do differential equations originate and of what use are they?
o Confronted with a differential equation, what does one do with it, how does one do it, and
what are the results of such activity?

These questions indicate three major aspects of the subject: theory, method , and application. The
purpose of this course is to introduce audience to the basic aspects of the subject and at the same
time give a brief survey of the three aspects just mentioned. In this course, we shall find answers to
the general questions raised above, answers which will become more and more meaningful as we
proceed with the study of differential equations. This course provides audience with an easy to
follow and comprehensive introduction to differential equations and is intended to serve three
purposes:

i) to provide an accessible introduction to the world of differential equations for students who do
not intend to specialize in this area;

ii) to provide a prerequisite course for the more specialized third and fourth year courses in
ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and dynamical systems,

iii) to provide an introduction to the discipline of Applied Mathematics, namely, the formulation
and analysis of mathematical models of real-world phenomena. Since many models are based on
differential equations, an introductory course in DEs provides a natural vehicle for this purpose.

What you need to know:

Success in the course depends on having a good knowledge of single variable calculus – derivatives,
antiderivatives, qualitative curve -sketching and improper integrals, in particular. In the final chapter,
some knowledge of linear algebra is also required – matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors – but
only for the two-dimensional case.

You’ll find that the exponential function plays a major role in the subject of differential equations,
and so it is important that you have a good grasp of exponentials and logarithms . Somewhat
surprisingly, complex numbers are used in the course, even though all the unknown functions are
real- valued . The reason for the appearance of complex numbers is that the roots of real polynomials
are in general complex. So in the course you’ll find yourself using the famous Euler formula

e^iθ = cosθ + i sinθ .

Some concepts from physics arise in the applications, the most important being Newton’s Second
Law of Motion. However, in order to keep the course accessible, the background needed for the
applications, most of which arise in everyday life, will be given in the course.

Learning the course material:

Although the lectures give a discussion of the theoretical matters, the use of the computer algebra
system Maple will also be used. The reason for this is that science and engineering problems in the
real world are usually of sufficient complexity that we must solve them using computer assistance.

Class procedures: You are expected to
o attend the lectures and take your own lecture notes,
o read the textbook and lecture notes critically,
o work out the suggested problems from the section discussed in class.

Assignments, Tests and Exam Policy:
o No make-ups will be allowed for assignments and tests,
o Make-up Final Exam will be given only in case of properly documented emergencies,
o Late assignments will not be accepted,
o The assignments must be stapled (not folded) in the upper left corner,
o Write your name, the assignment number clearly on the top of the first page,
o You must show all your work, so it is easy to follow how you arrived at the solution.

Course Evaluation:
o Tests: (25% each) 50%
o Assignments: 10%
o Final Exam: 40%

Preliminary  course outline