Mathematics 427k             Unique number 57095

The web site for this course is located at http:/www.ma.utexas.edu/users/uhlen/home.html

Professor  Karen Uhlenbeck    RLM 9.160 

               512-271-1172   uhlen@math.utexas.edu 
               512-471-6237 (secretary K.Buslett  RLM 9.158)

(Tentative) office hours  M 12:00-1:00  Tu  3:30-4:15 (unless there is a faculty meeting)  W 1:00-2:00 F 11:00-12:00 and by appointment 

TA  Jonathan Williams 

Lecture   Tu Th 2:00-3:15     CPE  2.208
Discussion MW 3:00-4:00  PHR 2.108

Text:  W. Boyce and R. DiPrima  Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems  8th edition*

This course follows the first two semesters of calculus and is primarily about ordinary differential equations and their applications.  This section of the course will emphasize the theory of linear equations and 2x2 systems of differential  equations.  We will learn the first steps to understanding non-linear equations  (find the equilibrium points and linearize!)  We will emphasize some basic applications:  radioactivity, mechanics, populations dynamics and graphical understanding. This is an excellent opportunity to see how calculus is used and to use a little linear algebra.

We will cover parts of Chapters 1-5 , 7, 9 and 10.  This course material is best understood if you do a few exercises on the computer, but this is not required (see grading policy).  You obtain a computer account by going directly to the computer lab in RLM 8.136 and asking for an account. The computer lab is staffed by students who provide help using mathlab. You may, of course, use your own software.

Grading policy:  There will be two in-class midterms (25% each) and one final exam(50%). There will be one make-up exam during the last week of classes which students may substitute for 25% of the grade.  There will also be homework, computer exercises and a small project which may be used as a unit to substitute for 25% of the grade. Students who take the make-up exam and do the homework may elect not to take the final. Assignments to be graded will be clearly marked.

(For lecture 1/18 and 1/20) Read chapter 1 and 2.1; 2.2 Work at least the following problems: p15-17#1,2,7,9: p 24 #1-6: p. 39-40  #1,3,11,17, 27: p 47-48 #1, 3.

* Other editions of the text will not have correct page and problem numbers.