Math 333, Fall 2020 Syllabus
Section 1 Course Information
- Course Number:
MATH 333
- Course Title:
Differential Equations With Matrix Theory
- Catalog Statement:
Use of differential equations to model phenomena in sciences and engineering. Solution of differential equations via analytic, qualitative and numerical techniques. Linear and nonlinear systems of differential equations. Introduction to matrix algebra, determinants, eigenvalues, and solutions of linear systems. Laplace transforms.
- Prerequisite:
MATH 175
Subsection 1.1 Instructor
- Instructor:
Zach Teitler [he/him/his]
- Email:
- Website:
- Office:
MB 233A
- Office Phone:
208-426-1086
Subsection 1.2 Section
- Section Number:
003
- Meeting Times:
MoWeFr 10:30-11:45
- Meeting Remotely:
We will meet remotely using Zoom. Zoom sessions may be recorded for students who are not able to attend.
- Zoom meeting ID:
Posted in BlackBoard 1
Section 2 Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the notation, vocabulary, and some applications of first order, systems of first order, and second order ordinary differential equations (ODEs).
- Solve a variety of first order ODEs using various methods.
- Analyze behavior of solutions to first order ODEs by looking at slope fields and equilibrium solutions.
- Demonstrate familiarity with matrix algebra basics including elementary row operations, determinants, linear independence of rows/columns, and finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
- Solve linear systems of first order ODEs using the eigenvalue/eigenvector method.
- Solve both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous linear second order ODEs with constant coefficients.
- Solve initial value problems using the Laplace transform method.
- Communicate effectively and work effectively in a team in a mathematical context.
Section 3 Course Text
Subsection 3.1 Primary Text
Our primary course text will be course notes by Jaimos Skriletz:
A notable feature of these notes is the early emphasis on systems of equations. The notes are freely available at the above webpage. You do not have to purchase any text for this class.
Subsection 3.2 Optional Texts
The following texts may serve as optional additional references which are close to the course notes:
- The Ordinary Differential Equations Project 1 by Thomas Judson. This text is very close to the notes we will follow but it's still a work in progress (some sections are incomplete).
- Notes on Diffy Qs: Differential Equations for Engineers 2 by Jiří Lebl. This is a two-semester text, so it has several extra topics and gets more technical than the Judson or Skriletz texts.
There are many, many other free texts and resources. Some links will be posted in BlackBoard.
Section 4 Equipment
Subsection 4.1 Required Equipment
The following items are required for this course:
- Computer, Laptop, or Tablet:
A computer, laptop, or tablet is required for participation in remote class meetings, and for completing work during and outside of class. You will need a computer, laptop, or tablet with a modern web browser, a reasonable sized screen, speakers, and a microphone. In addition a video camera and/or a stylus are recommended.
- Access to Reliable High-Speed Internet:
All content of this course is deliverable over the internet. You will need reliable high-speed internet access.
- Access to a Printer, Annotation Software, and/or Scanner:
Worksheets, quizzes, and exams are delivered in .pdf format or other online formats. You will have to complete your work and submit it online. You can either use annotation software, or else print a copy, work with pen/pencil, and then scan or photo the result.
Subsection 4.2 Optional Equipment
The following items are optional, but recommended for this course:
- Writing Tablet:
Either a tablet computer, or a peripheral attached to your computer; either way, with a stylus that you can use to write on the screen. This will be extremely useful for working together on problems during class and for remote studying with other students, so that you will be able to write on the screen and share your work.
- Calculator:
You can use a calculator (that cannot connect to the internet) on exams. Your calculator can solve equations, compute antiderivatives, compute integrals, and find partial fraction decomposition. A Ti-89, Ti-Nspire, or similar is recommended but not required.
Subsection 4.3 List of Software
This course makes use of the following software to support your learning.
- Zoom:
You need to be able to use Zoom for class. Either install the Zoom app (recommended) or use Zoom through a web browser.
- Math Software:
You are encouraged to use graphing software or math software such as Sage, Maple, Matlab, or Mathematica. It is not required. Some class demos will use Sage.
Subsection 4.4 List of Websites
This course makes use of the following websites to support your learning.
- Course Website:
The course website 1 will contain all information about the course, including daily lessons, annoucments, quiz and exam information.
- Blackboard:
Blackboard 2 will be used for the course gradebook and announcements. Links to the course website will also be placed in Blackboard.
- WebWork:
WebWork 3 is an open source online assessment tool. Daily assignments and parts of quizzes and exams will be delivered over WebWork.
- Jamboard:
Google’s Jamboard 4 is a multi user white board in which students can collaborate on the worksheets. You can use Jamboard in a web browser with a keyboard/mouse or download the Jamboard app on a tablet and use it with a stylus.
Section 5 Grading
Subsection 5.1 Components of course grade
Subsubsection 5.1.1 Homework
The homework is intended to help you in the learning process through regular work, improve the quality of learning, and increase and consolidate your knowledge.
The homework will consist of daily assignments completed in WeBWorK. WeBWorK is a free online homework system. A link to the Boise State WeBWorK server will be posted in BlackBoard. With WeBWorK, you will get immediate feedback, which can help you know which topics you need to study and which ones you have already mastered.
Subsubsection 5.1.2 Quizzes
The quizzes, like the homework, are intended to help you in the learning process through regular work, improve the quality of learning, and increase and consolidate your knowledge.
Most weeks will have a take-home quiz.
Subsubsection 5.1.3 Exams
The exams are intended to be an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery and understanding of course material, and a tool for your learning. Exams will give you feedback on your learning progress and help you plan your study efforts.
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. Midterm exams will be take-home. The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Exam dates are:
- Exam 1:
Start of week 6: Monday, October 5
- Exam 2:
Start of week 12: Monday, November 9
- Final Exam:
Wednesday, December 16, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
To pass the course, you have to take every exam, pass at least one midterm exam with at least 60%, and pass the final exam with at least 60%.
Subsubsection 5.1.4 Attendance and participation
Participation in class helps you learn the material and develop communication and teamwork skills. It also helps other students learn the material and develop communication and teamwork skills. If you are absent from class, your absence impacts other students.
Because they are so important, attendance and participation are required, except for excused absences such as family or medical emergencies.
Talk to me if there are reasons that attendance and participation are difficult for you, for example health or medical problems; family situations; problems with tech or internet access; timezone issues. I am willing to get creative to find accomodations.
Subsubsection 5.1.5 Weights
The components of the course grade are weighted as shown in the following table.
Component
Weight
Homework
20%
Quizzes
20%
Exams
45%
Attendance and participation
15%
Subsection 5.2 Preparation and Participation
Preparation for class includes reading relevant course notes before class, being ready to learn about that topic in class, reviewing previous class material, and knowing what questions you are planning to ask about homework or previous class material.
It's okay if reading the course notes before class isn't enough to understand the material. Rather, the point is to read the section in order to be ready to learn about it in class. Class discussion of the topic should answer many questions and clarify the reading. Following class, please re-read the course notes to fill in details.
Constructive participation includes answering or attempting to answer questions in class, contributing constructively to in-class group work, asking good questions, and being respectful of others.
Active participation includes communicating actively in class. In our remote meetings, that may include using your camera to show yourself, using your microphone to talk, writing on the screen (using a tablet and stylus, mouse, or trackpad), and typing in chat. You are not required to use all of those things all the time, but you have to do something to be an active part of the conversation.
Lack of preparation and participation causes distractions and degrades the course experience for other students in the course.
Subsection 5.3 Makeup Work
Please pay close attention to the WeBWorK, quizzes and exam due dates. In general the makeup policy is no makeups, except in cases of emergencies such as family or medical emergencies. Contact me before a missed due date if possible, or else as soon as possible after the missed due date.
Midterm exams and the final exam are extremely difficult to makeup. Makeup exams will only be allowed in the most serious emergencies.
If you will miss a quiz class day, you should email me a copy of the quiz before the due date, if possible.
WeBWorK assignments have two due dates. The first due date, called a Reduced Scoring Date, is the date the assignment must be completed by to get full credit. The Reduced Scoring Date is before the start of the next class. The second due date is the final due date. After that date the assignment can no longer be completed for partial credit.
Section 6 Help
Subsection 6.1 Learning Assistant
The Learning Assistant for this class will hold study sessions and help you learn. More information will be shared on BlackBoard and in class.
Subsection 6.2 Allowed resources
For homework assignments, you are encouraged (in fact, expected) to collaborate with your classmates and to ask me questions. Other resources (books, online sources, people outside the class) are highly recommended for clarifying class topics or for enrichment (but not for getting solutions to problems).
You are allowed to use things that you learn from a book, online source, or person outside the class that help you and your classmates to find your own solution for a problem. However, if you read a full solution, so that there's little or nothing left for you and your classmates to figure out, then you may not turn in that solution for credit.
The Mathematics Stack Exchange 1 is a very useful question-and-answer site for undergraduate/graduate level mathematics. You are welcome to browse the Mathematics Stack Exchange and even post questions there. Hopefully it will help you learn and understand the material! However please remember that if you use that site to get a solution to a problem, then you can't turn that solution in for credit. Other helpful websites for basic information include Wikipedia and MathWorld 2 .
You are not required to use any extra resources. If you participate in class and study the class notes, that is sufficient. You are welcome to use extra resources if you want to, and if you find some that work for you. But you don't have to.
Subsection 6.3 University Resources
Boise State University's The Basics 3 web page has links to many forms of support, ranging from academic resources to family, living, and food resources.
You may reach out to me at any time if there's anything I can help with or if there's anything you think I should know.
Section 7 Important Dates
| Monday | 8/24 | First day of classes. |
| Friday | 9/4 | Last day to register/add or to drop without a W. |
| Monday | 9/7 | Labor Day. No classes. |
| Monday | 10/5 | Midterm Exam 1. |
| Friday | 10/30 | Last day to drop with a W or completely withdraw. |
| Monday | 11/9 | Midterm Exam 2. |
| 11/23-11/29 | Thanksgiving Holiday. No classes. | |
| Friday | 12/11 | Last day of instruction for regular classes. |
| Wednesday | 12/16 | Final Exam (scheduled), 12:00-2:00. |
| Tuesday | 12/22 | Grades due. (You will be able to see your grade by this date.) |
Section 8 Other
- Respect for Diversity:
Students from all backgrounds and with all perspectives are welcome in this course. It is my intent that all students be well served by this course, that students's learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. It is my intent to maintain a classroom atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups.
- ADA Policy Statement:
Students with disabilities needing accommodations to fully participate in this class should contact the EAC. All accommodations must be approved through the EAC prior to being implemented. To learn more about the accommodation process, visit the EAC's website at
https://www.boisestate.edu/eac/new-students/.- Email:
In accordance with Boise State University Policy #2280 1 , it is expected that you will receive and read emails sent to your
boisestate.eduemail address.- Communication:
Additional information and updates may be announced in class, sent by email, and/or posted on BlackBoard 2 .
- Academic Integrity:
Getting answers to homework or exam problems from unauthorized sources is a very serious form of academic misconduct. For this class, all online sources are unauthorized for this purpose. You are allowed to learn and increase your understanding from online sources or other textbooks; you are not allowed to use those sources to find answers to homework or exam problems.
- Behavioral Expectations:
Every student has the right to a respectful learning environment. In order to provide this right to all students, students must take individual responsibility to conduct themselves in a mature and appropriate manner and will be held accountable for their behavior in accordance with Boise State University Policy #2050 3 .