21-260 Differential Equations

Instructor – Nakul Shankar

Textbook – Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems by William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima (8^th Edition)

Class time – MTWRF 9:00 – 10:30

Office Hours – MTWR 11:00-1:30

Office – PPB 342

Email – nshankar@andrew.cmu.edu

Mailbox – Wean Mathematics Dept. Office (Wean 6113)

Course Website – www.math.cmu.edu/~nshankar/21_260/

Course Description

When we are interested in studying phenomenon such as temperature, heat and weather we are often presented with equations which contains derivatives. Differential Equations is the study of such equations. The solution to these equations can take three forms. We can either find closed form solutions, numerical approximations to these solutions or qualitative descriptions of these solutions. In this course we will primarily be concerned with closed for solutions. In particular the topics we will be covering in this course are first and second order ordinary differential equations, Laplace transforms, partial differential equations, separation of variables, Fourier systems and systems of ordinary differential equations. The relevant chapters in the book are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 10.

Homework Assignments and Tests

There will be a homework assigned every Monday, Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Each assignment contains a few problems and may also contain a reading component. Homeworks comprise 30% of the final grade. Class participation is required as I will ask you from time to time to present a solution you turned in for homework to the class. Homework assignments will be posted a week in advance on the course website. Homework for the week will be turned in on Friday at the beginning of class. Each assignment should be stapled with your name, date and assignment number on it.

There will also be an in class midterm on July 21^st and a final on August 11^th. The midterm will be 30% of the grade and the final will be 40%. Due to the fast paced nature of the course all missed tests need to be taken within 7 days but no late homework will be accepted. Any late homework due to illness will receive 100% credit with an appropriate doctor's note.

Special Needs: If you require special arrangements such as extra time on tests then please let me know in advance and I will try to accommodate you as much as I can.

Office Hours and Class Participation

Since our time is limited in the classroom, I highly recommend coming to see me during office hours. Typically only half of the assigned problems will be graded so if you have any questions regarding the problems which weren't graded then please come see me during office hours. If the regular office hours do not suit you then feel free to email me and setup an appointment for another time. The guidelines of Academic Honesty in the Student Handbook will followed. As per the guidelines all work submitted for homework and tests must be your own.