MATH 225, Fall 2008
Introduction to Differential Equations

Course information

Course:	MATH 225/0101: Introduction to Differential Equations
Time & Place:	MW 5:30pm–6:45pm, SOND 103
Instructor:	Dr. Rouben Rostamian
Office:	MP 402
Phone:	410–455–2458
Email:	rostamian@umbc.edu
Office hours:	MW 4:30–5:30 + immediately after each class, else by appointment

Textbook

Stanley J. Farlow: An Introduction to Differential Equations and their Applications. Available at UMBC Bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and elsewhere.

This very affordable paperback book is a black-and-white reproduction of the original 1994 color hardcover edition which is no longer in print. A used copy of the hardcover may be worthwhile to get but you will have to trust the seller. We will cover much of:

Chapter 1:

Introduction to differential equations

Chapter 2:

First-order differential equations

Chapter 3:

Second-order differential equations

Chapter 5:

The Laplace transform

Chapter 6:

System of differential equations

Chapter 8:

Nonlinear differential equations

Calculus II (Math 152) is a prerequisite. A knowledge of Linear Algebra (Math 221) will help but it's not a prerequisite; I will fill in the missing details as needed.

Course Goals/Objectives

The subject of this is course is an introduction to ordinary differential equations and their applications. It's pretty much a natural continuation of calculus, so if you liked calculus, you will like this course. In this course you will learn:

• What differential equations are.
• How they arise in applications.
• Their classification into recognizable types, such as first order separable, or second order linear constant coefficient homogeneous, etc.
• Solution techniques for various types.
• Interpreting the meanings of the solutions.

Weekly homework

I will put homework assignments on this web page shortly after each class. Solutions of problems assigned on the Monday and Wednesday of week n are due on the Wednesday of week n+1. I will have some of the problems graded and will return them to you on the following Monday.

I won't take late homework; please don't ask for exceptions. However the two lowest homework grades will be dropped to accommodate unanticipated events.

Exams and grading

Exams 1 and 2 will cover approximately the first third and second third of the course; they will be given in the regularly scheduled class times.

The Final Exam will be comprehensive—it will cover the entire course—however it will put greater emphasis on the material covered in the later parts of the course.

 The Final Exam is on Monday Dec 15 6:00pm–8:00pm, in SOND 103 

Your course grade will be calculated according to the weights attached to various components as shown in the adjacent table. Letter grades will be determined according to:

if { grade ≥ 85: A}
else if { grade ≥ 75: B}
else if { grade ≥ 65: C}
else if { grade ≥ 55: D}
else F

I will make and grade the exams in a fair and reasonable way, but sorry, no "curving" in this course.

Homework assignments

 The Final Exam is on Monday Dec 15 6:00pm–8:00pm, in SOND 103 

The Official UMBC Honors Code

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal.

For detailed policies on academic integrity consult:

Undergraduate students:

Undergraduate Student Academic Conduct Policy

Graduate students:

Policy and Procedures for Student Academic Misconduct