MATH 230

SPRING 2007

SYLLABUS      

TEXT:  Edwards and Penney, Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems, 5th Edition.  We will also be refering to a manual which aids in             the use of Mathematica.  

CALCULATOR and COMPUTER:   We will be using Mathemaitca.

PREREQUISITE:  Successful completion of Math 121.  This, to me, means that you earned a grade of C- or better.

CLASS ATTENDANCE:  Attendance will not be taken in class. Most students find that regular attendance is necessary to achieve a desirable grade.  You are also expected to be in class on time.  However, should circumstances prevent you from being here on time, it is better to be here late than not at all. Excessive unexcused absences and/or excessive tardiness will result in a reduced grade for the semester.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what occurred in that class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  I take issues of academic integrity very seriously.  The University has a very strict policy regarding this.  For you own protection, take the time to read this policy at http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf .  Any action violating this policy will be treated seriously.  A first offense in this class can result in anyone of several penalties ranging from a zero on the work to a dismissal from the university.

EXPECTATIONS:  This course will require time outside of class doing homework. I would expect that you would need to spend at least two hours between class meetings. Some students may need to spend more time than this. 

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS:  Students with documented learning disabilities are entitled by law to certain “reasonable accommodations.”  If you have a documented reason for special accommodations, you must provide written evidence of this as soon as possible from the appropriate office.  No accommodations can or will be given without the documentation.  Each time special accommodations are requested, the request must be submitted, in writing, at least one week before the event.

 CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:  We are here to learn mathematics.  It is important that everyone behave in a manner that will create an optimal learning environment.  Respect for each other is an important part of this.  I expect the use of language that is respectful of gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and physical ability/disability.  This extends to Internet access while in the classroom. Everyone should be in the classroom, in his or her place, and ready to work when it is time for class to begin.  Each person should plan to remain in class and be involved in the work until the end of class.  It is acceptable to bring food and drink to class provided that it is not disruptive; that is, a beverage is probably all right, but chips in a “noisy” bag are probably not okay.  Headphones are never appropriate during class.  Please turn off cell phones, pagers, watch alarms, and any other electronic devices that make noises.

HOMEWORK:   There will be nightly assignments.  In addition to these, there will be assignments collected.  The assignments will be posted on the course home page.  you are expected to master this material.  If a problem is assigned, you are responsible for it, even if it is not discussed in class. 

TESTS:  There will be a total of 3 tests.  The dates for these are on the course home page and are scheduled for the following days: February 14 (Happy Valentines Day?), March 26, and April 25.  Make-up tests will be given when an emergency arises.  If you need a make-up test, please notify me as soon as possible, preferably before the test.  If you do not notify me by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the test, you will forfeit your right to a make-up test.

FINAL EXAM:  The final exam will be given as follows:

                        Tuesday        May 8        8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

University rules do not allow for exceptions to these times except in the case where a student has three exams in a 24-hour period.  If that happens and you are requesting a change, the request must be submitted in writing before the last day of classes, May 2.  You must include with the request the courses whose final exams are within the 24-period.

COURSE GRADE:  The course grade will be based on the following point values:

                        HOMEWORK            100 points

TESTS                         300 points (100 each)

                        FINAL EXAM             200 points