MATH 427K: Advanced Calculus for Applications I

General Information

Instructor: Oscar Gonzalez (og@math.utexas.edu) 471-1138
Office hrs: RLM 10.122, Tu 11am-12pm, W 10-11am, Th 2-3pm or by appointment

Teaching asst: Sasha Stoikov (sstoikov@math.utexas.edu) 475-8768
Office hrs: RLM 11.156, Tu 3:30-4:30pm, W 1-2pm and by appointment

Text : Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 7th Edition, by Boyce and DiPrima
Lecture : ECJ 1.202, TuTh 9:30-11am
Discussion : WAG 101, MW 12-1pm
Course webpage: http://www.ma.utexas.edu/~og/TEACHING/M427K/m427k.html

Overview

This course will cover a number of elementary topics in the theory of ordinary differential equations: initial value problems, exact and approximate solution techniques, basic existence and uniqueness theorems, fundamental sets of solutions and linear independence, series expansions and Laplace transforms. Topics in boundary value problems, Fourier series and partial differential equations may also be covered as time permits. The course is directed at students in the engineering and physical sciences, and its objective is to expose students to the basic methods for solving differential equations that arise in applications.

Policies

Homeworks: Assignments will typically be given each lecture and discussed in the following Discussion Section, but they will not be collected and graded. However, you will be responsible for knowing the material in the homeworks, and for being able to apply this knowledge during exams. To determine how well you are doing on the homeworks, you are encouraged to attend Section and ask questions, take advantage of office hours, work in study groups and so on.


Exams: There will be 2 quizzes and 4 exams (the fourth exam to be held during the time scheduled by the University for the Final Examination). The tentative dates are

Quiz A (Feb 21), Quiz B (Apr 02),
Exam #1 (Feb 06), Exam #2 (Mar 08), Exam #3 (Apr 17), Exam #4 (May 11, 9am-12).


Notice that quizzes are scheduled for discussion section days, while exams are scheduled for class days. Please bring your valid UT ID card to all quizzes and exams.


Course grade: Your overall course grade will be determined by your quiz and exam grades in the following proportions

Quiz A (6%), Quiz B (6%),
Exam #1 (22%), Exam #2 (22%), Exam #3 (22%), Exam #4 (22%).


One undesirable exam grade may be replaced by a later, better exam grade.


Grade scale: If necessary, quiz and exam grades will be curved to achieve a class average equivalent to 75/100 points or thereabouts. Grades will never be curved downwards. The overall course grade will be based on a standard grading scale (A=100-90%, B=89-80%, C=79-70%, D=69-60%, F=59-0%).


Make-up policy: My policy is not to permit make-up exams, except only in very compelling circumstances or when the University requires me to do so. If circumstances beyond your control cause you to miss an exam, please discuss the matter with me as soon as possible. Failure to contact me (by person, phone or email) within 24 hours of missing an exam will eliminate the possibility of any make-up.


Students with disabilities: The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.


Drop dates: The last day to drop the course without possible academic penalty is February 12, 2001. The last day to drop the course for academic reasons is March 26, 2001. After this, students may go to the Dean's office to appeal for non-academic reasons.

Tentative Schedule

The following table is a tentative class schedule where numbers after the dates correspond to sections in the text. Please be aware that material may be deleted or added.

Tu 16 Jan, 1.1-1.3
Th 18 Jan, 2.1

Tu 23 Jan, 2.2
Th 25 Jan, 2.4

Tu 30 Jan, 2.6
Th 01 Feb, 2.5,2.7

Tu 06 Feb, Exam #1
Th 08 Feb, 3.1

Tu 13 Feb, 3.2-3.3
Th 15 Feb, 3.4

Tu 20 Feb, 3.5 (W Sec: Quiz A)
Th 22 Feb, 3.6-3.7

Tu 27 Feb, 3.8
Th 01 Mar, 4.1-4.2

Tu 06 Mar, 4.3
Th 08 Mar, Exam #2

Tu 13 Mar, break
Th 15 Mar, break

Tu 20 Mar, 5.1
Th 22 Mar, 5.2-5.3

Tu 27 Mar, 5.4-5.5
Th 29 Mar, 5.6 (M Sec: Quiz B)

Tu 03 Apr, 6.1-6.2
Th 05 Apr, 6.3

Tu 10 Apr, 6.4-6.5
Th 12 Apr, 6.6

Tu 17 Apr, Exam #3
Th 19 Apr, 10.1

Tu 24 Apr, 10.2
Th 26 Apr, 10.3

Tu 01 May, 10.4
Th 03 May, 10.5

Fr 11 May, Exam #4