MATH2351 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations

Spring semester 2017--2018 (calendar)

Dr.Edmund Chiang machiang@ust.hk, phone no.: 23587441.

L1 Tue. & Thu.: 16:30 - 17:20 in room 1104:

Office hours: Mon.: TBA (or in most afternoons).

Tutor: Xiaoli Lin,  e-mail: xlinaw@connect.ust.hk.

T1A: Mon. 16:30-15:20, room CYTG009B

T1B: Thu. 11:00-11:50, room 4503

Lecture notes:  can be down loaded from the course coordinator Prof. J. Chasnov's link. Alternatively, you can obtain bound copy for $25 from Ms. Janette Cho of Mathematics Department in Rm 3461 (lifts 25/26).  http://www.math.ust.hk/~machas/differential-equations.pdf

Main reference book:  Boyce and DiPrima,  Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary value Problems, 8th edition  (Brief solution to most of the exercises are printed at the back of the textbook. More detailed solution to selected exercises are available from the library reserve section under 2-hour loan.) The course material is prepared mostly from this book, so are most of the problems. It is of your interest to review this book  (see Amazon.com for readers' comments)

Grading:   WeBWork a%, Worksheets: b% (a+b=20%); Midterm: 25%; Final:  55%;

 Course Material (Chapter numbers of Lecture Notes)

Mid-term examination: Date and time: 22th March 2018 afternoon/evening. No retake will be granted under normal circumstances. The test will usually cover all the material taught up to the week before the test. Policy

Tutorial worksheet. The weekly worksheet is for you to practice and expand upon the material covered in lectures. In completing the worksheet you are encouraged to ask your TA questions, but do not expect the TA to do the worksheet for you. You may also form a small group of students in your tutorial to discuss and collaborate in completing the worksheet. Each worksheet is turned in to the TA at the end of the tutorial and graded on a FAIL/PASS/WELL-DONE (0 or 1 or 2 points) basis. Answers to the tutorial worksheet will be posted by the TA the following Monday. Policy

Recommended Homework: Recommended homework problem are for practice by the student and is not turned in or graded. These problems are practice for the lecture material. Students should do at least some of the recommended problems. Some of the recommended problems will be done in the lectures. Answers to many of the homework problems are available in the back of the book. The ideal situation is for a student to try some of the questions before coming to class. By working out some of the problem before hand a student will learn more from the problems solved in class.

Student Conduct:

1. You should be punctual in attending the lectures, late arrivals are not welcome.

2. Class discussion is highly encouraged, but casual chatting is disruptive and repeat offenders will be asked to leave the lecture room.

3. All mobile phones should be switched off during the lectures or tutorials. Offenders may be asked to leave the lecture room.

4. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses. Students who commit these offenses may receive zero mark in the homework/test/examination. However, more serious penalty may be imposed, for which you should consult the `Academic Calender'.

Your comments: Please do contact us if you have any questions or problem with the course. Your comments are very welcomed.