Welcome to Differential Equations, Math 220.02, Spring 2008!

General Links:   Blackboard (handouts and selected HW solutions)

Mathematics and Statistics Department   |   Writing Lab

Reading Lab  |   Course Bibliography
Calendars:   Weeks 1 - 3   |   Weeks 4 - 6   |   Weeks 7 - 9

Weeks 10 - 12   |   Weeks 13 - 15



Instructor: Dr. Karen Shuman
Class Meetings: MWF, 2:15 - 3:05
Noyce 2243
Text: Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 8e
William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima
Office: 2249 Noyce Science Center
Phone: (641) 269-4927
Fax: (641) 269-4984
Email: shumank@math.grinnell.edu
Office hours:
  • Monday, 10:30 - 11:50, 3:15 - 4
  • Tuesday, 10:30 - 11:50, 2:15 - 4
  • Friday, 10:30 - 11:50
In addition, if you drop by when I am not busy (usually, that means my door will be open), I will be glad to work with you.
Daily homework:
  • Homework is due IN CLASS every day.
  • NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
  • If you have an extended illness or emergency, get in touch with me as soon as possible. We will then work out a plan to put you back on course; your grade will not suffer due to unfortunate circumstances beyond your control.
  • Because no late homework is accepted, you have three homework drops. Use them wisely! You will have to use these drops for occasional illnesses.
  • Label each homework assignment with the homework number provided on the webpage. Homeworks which are not numbered will not be eligible for regrading if a mistake is made in the original grading.
  • You are encouraged to work in groups on your homework problems and on your starred problems; however, the written explanations must be your own. If cheating or plagiarism appears to have occurred, all papers involved will be referred to the Committee on Academic Standing.

    When you do work with other students on a particular problem, note this on your paper. For example, "I worked with X and Y on this problem" is all you need to write.

Tests:

  • There are three tests in the term.
  • Tests will be given during the normal class period.
  • Missed tests can not be made up except in circumstances left to the instructor's discretion. These circumstances include illness (with a note from the Health Center) or a family emergency (with a note from Academic Advising).

Test 1 Wednesday, February 20
Test 2 Wednesday, March 12
Test 3 Wednesday, April 23

Final exam:

  • The final exam is cumulative and will occur during the usual exam period.
  • You must attend the final exam during the regular exam period. Your exam will be Tuesday, May 13, at 9:00 am.
  • Do not make plans to go home before the final, and make sure the person who is arranging your trip home knows you cannot miss your final exam.

How your grade is computed:

 
Category Each Total
Daily homework   32%
Tests (3) 16% 48%
Final exam   20%
Total   100%

Determining your letter grade:

A 95%-100%
A- 90%-94%
B+ 85%-89%
B 80%-84%
B- 75%-79%
C+ 70%-74%
C 65%-69%
C- not a grade!
D 60%-64%
F 0%-59%

Accommodations:

If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Associate Dean and Director of Academic Advising, Joyce Stern, whose office is located on the third floor of the Rosenfield Center (x3702).