Spring 2007 Course Syllabus
Course: 0251.002.
Course Title: Differential Equations.
Time: MWF 11:40-12:30.
Place: BB 108.
Instructor: Schiller, John J.
Instructor Office: Wachman Hall 508.
Instructor Email: john.schiller@temple.edu
Instructor Phone: 215-204-8419.
Office Hours: MWF 12:40-1:30.
Prerequisites: Math 86 with a grade of C or better; Corequisite Math 127.
Textbook: Differential Equations: Theory, Technique, and Practice by George F. Simmons and Steven G. Krantz.
Course Goals: To enable prepared students to learn basic concepts, techniques, and applications of ordinary differntial equations.
Topics Covered: First order differential equations, second and higher order linear differential equations, series solutions, Laplace transforms, Systems of first order equations.
Course Grading: Pre-test, up to 4%; weekly quizzes, 12%; three regular in-class tests, up to 22% each; comprehensive final exam, up to 44%. Either the lowest of the three regular tests will be dropped or the final will be reduced to at most 22%.
Exam Dates: Pre-test, Monday January 22; final exam, Monday May 7, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; weekly quizzes on Fridays; three regular tests, to be announced. No makeups.
Attendance Policy: Attendance and engagement in class are expected and will be factors in borderline cases.
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at (215) 204-1280, 100 Ritter Annex, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed here.
Students will be charged for a course unless a withdrawal form is processed by a registration office of the University by the Drop/Add deadline date given below. For this semester, the crucial dates are as follows:
During the first two weeks of the fall or spring semester or summer sessions, students may withdraw from a course with no record of the class appearing on the transcript. In weeks three through nine of the fall or spring semester, or during weeks three and four of summer sessions, the student may withdraw with the advisor's permission. The course will be recorded on the transcript with the instructor's notation of "W," indicating that the student withdrew. After week nine of the fall or spring semester, or week four of summer sessions, students may not withdraw from courses. No student may withdraw from more than five courses during the duration of his/her studies to earn a bachelor's degree. A student may not withdraw from the same course more than once. Students who miss the final exam and do not make alternative arrangements before the grades are turned in will be graded F.
The grade I (an "incomplete") is reserved for extreme circumstances. It is necessary to have completed almost all of the course with a passing average and to file an incomplete contract specifying what is left for you to do. To be eligible for an I grade you need a good reason and you should have missed not more than 25% of the first nine weeks of classes. If approved by the Mathematics Department chair and the CST Dean's office, the incomplete contract must include a default grade that will be used in case the I grade is not resolved within 12 months.