James Jones, Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics & Sciences Division
Richland Community College
Section 01 meets from 11:00 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in room S137.
James Jones, Professor of Mathematics.
Phone: 875-7211, ext 490
Office: C223
Email: james@richland.edu
Web: http://people.richland.edu/james/
These are the times I'm scheduled to be in my office. I often spend portions of my office hour in the classroom helping students, so if I'm not in my office, check room S137. If these times are not convenient for you, please see me to make an appointment for some other time.
Transfer students. Students pursuing degrees in engineering or mathematics.
Successful completion (C or better grade) of Math 122, Calculus and Analytic Geometry II.
MATH 230 - Differential Equations
Hours: 4 lecture - 0 lab - 4 credit
Math 230, Differential Equations, begins with some definitions and terminology and mathematical models used in a differential equations course. First-order and higher-order differential equations, along with the methods of solutions and their applications are introduced. Modeling with higher-order, Laplace transform, and systems of linear first-order differential equations are covered. At the end, students learn series solutions of linear equations. Numerical methods are covered throughout the course.
Applicable toward graduation where program structure permits.
The Illinois Articulation Initiative is a statewide transfer agreement. Their website is at http://www.itransfer.org.
Differential Equations is the Mathematics Majors course MTH 912. This is the IAI description for the course.
The course must cover linear equations of the first order; linear equations with constant coefficients; the general linear equation; variation of parameters; undetermined coefficients; linear independence; the Wronskian; exact equations; separation of variables; and applications. In addition, the course must cover at least two or three of the following topics: systems of linear differential equations; solution of Laplace transforms; existence and uniqueness of solutions; solution by power series; oscillation and comparison theorems; partial differential equations; boundary value problems; numerical methods; and stability of solutions. Prerequisite: MTH 902, Calculus II.
While learning differential equations is certainly one of the goals of this course, it is not the only objective. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to ...
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to ...
Discussion, problem solving, student questions, student participation, oral presentations, and lecture. Students are expected to read the material before coming to class and are strongly encouraged to come to class with a list of questions and to ask these questions.
Could include any of the following: problem solving exams, objective exams, essays, research papers, oral presentations, group projects, quizzes, homework.
Letter grades will be assigned to final adjusted scores as follows:
Consideration may be given to such qualities as attendance, class participation, attentiveness, attitude in class, and cooperation to produce the maximum learning situation for everyone.
The instructor will give you a grade sheet so that you can record your scores and keep track of your progress in the course. If you are concerned about your grades, see the instructor.
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date they are due. The instructor may allow you to turn them in later that day without counting them late, but do not count on his graciousness. Late assignments lose 20% of their value per class period. The instructor reserves the right to apply this rule to missed exams as well as regular assignments. No late work will be accepted after the final.
Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Mathematics is a cumulative subject and each day builds on the previous day's material. If you have excessive absences, you cannot develop to your fullest potential in the course.
Students who, because of excessive absences, cannot complete the course successfully, are required to be administratively dropped from the class at midterm. If a student stops attending after midterm, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw to avoid an "F". Do not stop attending and assume that you will be withdrawn from the class by the instructor.
Although dropping students for non-attendance at midterm is required, students whose attendance is occasional or sporadic may be dropped from the class at any point during the semester at the instructor's discretion. The safest way to make sure you're not dropped for non-attendance is to continue to attend classes.
The student is responsible for all assignments, changes in assignments, or other verbal information given in the class, whether in attendance or not.
If a student must miss class, a call to the instructor (RCC's phone system has an answering system) should be made or an email message sent. When a test is going to be missed, the student should contact the instructor ahead of time if at all possible. Under certain circumstances, arrangements can be made to take the test before the scheduled time. If circumstances arise where arrangements cannot be made ahead of time, the instructor should be notified and a brief explanation of why given by either voice or email. This notification must occur before the next class period begins. At the instructor's discretion, the score on the final exam may be substituted for the missed exam.
In this course, we will concentrate on understanding the concepts of differential equations. There will be instances when we will use the calculator or computer to aid in our understanding or remove some of the tediousness of the calculations (especially in the area of numerical approximations). There may be some projects, homework, or portions of a test that require you to use technology to complete.
Here are some of the technology tools that we may use.
Derive is an computer algebra system that can perform symbolic manipulation of algebraic expressions and equations. We will use Derive primarily as an aide to checking our calculations or when answers get really nasty. For the most part, you will be expected to perform the algebraic manipulations yourself. Richland has a site license for Derive version 6, but that license does not allow you to take a copy home. Derive is no longer available for purchase.
Maxima is an open-source computer algebra system (CAS). Maxima is derived from the Macsyma system and is similar to other CAS systems like Maple. Although Richland owns a site license for Derive, students are unable to use it at home. Although not as polished as Derive, Maxima is free to use. For this reason, we will try to concentrate on using Maxima instead of Derive in the classroom. It is available at http://maxima.sourceforge.net
WinPlot is a free graphing software package for Windows written by Rick Parris at Phillips Exeter Academy in NH. The software is useful for creating graphs and it is easy to copy/paste the graphs into other applications. You may download the software by right-clicking your mouse on the word "WinPlot" at the top of the page http://math.exeter.edu/rparris/winplot.html and choosing save.
The student should have a pencil, red pen, ruler, graph paper, stapler, and paper punch. The student is expected to bring calculators and supplies as needed to class. The calculator should be brought daily. There will be a paper punch and stapler in the classroom.
The student is encouraged to seek additional help when the material is not comprehended. Mathematics is a cumulative subject; therefore, getting behind is a very difficult situation for the student. There are several places where you can seek additional help in your classes.
I try to make myself as available to the students as I can. My office hours are listed at the beginning of this syllabus, but those are just the times I'm scheduled to be in my office. Grab me and ask me questions if you see me in the hallway. Ask questions before or after class. If I'm in my office and it's not my scheduled office hours, go ahead and stop in.
The instructor should be considered the authoritative source for material related to this class. If a tutor or other student says something that disagrees with the instructor, believe the instructor.
Probably the best thing you can do for outside help is to form a study group with other students in your class. Work with those students and hold them accountable. You will understand things much better if you explain it to someone else and study groups will also keep you focused, involved, and current in the course.
The Student Learning Center is located in rooms S116, S117, and S118. There is mathematics tutoring available in room S116. The Student Learning Center and the tutoring is a service that Richland Community College offers you free of charge.
Quality tutors for the upper level mathematics are difficult to find. Please consider forming a study group among your classmates.
There are accommodations available for students who need extended time on tests, note takers, readers, adaptive computer equipment, braille, enlarged print, accessible seating, sign language interpreters, books on tape, taped classroom lectures, writers, or tutoring. If you need one of these services, then you should see Learning Accommodation Services in room C142. If you request an accommodation, you will be required to provide documentation that you need that accommodation.
Many of you will need additional time on tests. There is no need to go to learning accommodation services to request that. If you need additional time, just let me know and I'll allow you to continue working past the allotted time. You may need to move to another room as there may be another class coming into your room. If you're unable to finish the test by staying late, it may be possible to start the test earlier to gain additional time.
Feel free to bring a tape record to class and tape my lectures. If you need tutoring, then go to the Student Learning Center. For other services, see Learning Accommodation Services.
Each student is expected to be honest in his/her class work or in the submission of information to the College. Richland regards dishonesty in classroom and laboratories, on assignments and examinations, and the submission of false and misleading information to the College as a serious offense.
A student who cheats, plagiarizes, or furnishes false, misleading information to the College is subject to disciplinary action up to and including failure of a class or suspension/expulsion from the College.
Richland Community College policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital or parental status, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability (except where it is a bonafide occupational qualification), sexual orientation, military status, status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.
The Mathematics and Sciences Division prohibits the use of cell phones, pagers, and other non-learning electronic communication equipment within the classroom. All equipment must be turned off to avoid disturbances to the learning environment. If a student uses these devices during an examination, quiz, or any graded activity, the instructor reserves the right to issue no credit for these assignments. The instructor needs to approve any exceptions to this policy.
| Hours | Topic |
|---|---|
| 4 | Introduction to Differential Equations
|
| 8 | First-Order Differential Equations
|
| 4 | Modeling with First-Order Differential Equations
|
| 14 | Higher-Order Differential Equations
|
| 5 | Modeling with Higher-Order Differential Equations
|
| 7 | Series Solutions of Linear Equations
|
| 10 |
The Laplace Transform
|
| 6 | Systems of Linear First-Order Differential Equations
|
| 4 | Numerical Solutions of Ordinary Differential Equations
|