MATH 326: Schedule

The purpose of this page is to give you a tentative schedule of topics covered.

  • The schedule may change and is meant to be used as a rough guide of topics to be covered.
  • Your homework grade will be based on the Webwork Assignments, not the textbook exercises.
  • Reading the textbook is strongly recommended. It is in your best interest to read the sections listed below. If you can read them before I lecture on the topic, you'll be better off. But at the very least, read them after I lecture on them. Your chances of getting a good grade in this course are dramatically higher if you read the textbook in addition to attending lectures.
Week Lecture Topics
1
 Course Introduction
Differential Equations and Models
Integrals as Solutions
2
 Direction Fields
Qualitative Methods
3
 Separable Equations
Linear Motion Models
Linear First-Order Differential Equations
First-Order Variation of Parameters
4
 Mixing Problems
Population Models
Second-Order Linear Equations
5
 Solutions to Linear Equations
Homogeneous Equations with Constant Coefficients
6
 Exam 1: The exam will cover the previously listed topics. It will be similar to the homework. To practice for the exam, review the WeBWorK problems and know all of the definitions and useful theorems.
Inhomogeneous Equations and Undetermined Coefficients
7
 Second-Order Variation of Parameters
Mechanical Vibration
8
 Laplace Transforms and Inverse Transforms
Transforms of Initial Value Problems
9
 Translation and Partial Fractions
Derivatives and Integrals of Transforms
Piecewise Continuous Forcing Terms
10
 Exam 2: The exam will cover the material we have learned since the previous exam. It will be similar to the homework. To practice for the exam, review the WeBWorK problems and know all of the definitions and useful theorems. Here is the Laplace Transform Formula Page.
11
 Series Solutions
12
 First-Order Systems
Matrices and Linear Systems
Eigenvalue Methods
13-15
 Second-Order Systems
Multiple Eigensolutions
Phase Planes
SOFI's
Student Opinion of Faculty Instruction
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Final
Exam
*** Final Exam ***

The Final Exam will be cumulative but will be heavily weighted on the material covered since the previous exam. The only material from the midterm exams will be solving separable equations, linear first-order equations, and higher-order homogeneous and inhomogeneous equations. The majority of the exam will be based on material that we learned after the second midterm exam. It will be similar to the homework. To practice for the exam, review the WeBWorK problems and know all of the definitions and useful theorems.