Math 55: Instructor's Syllabus
There are files on this site in PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader to read them. Click the following icon to obtain a free copy of the Acrobat Reader.
It is important that you have the most current version of the Acrobat Reader that your system will allow. The above links will take you to the Adobe site. The Adobe site will analyze your system, but you may be asked to choose the appropriate version of the reader for your system. If this happens, carefully select the appropriate version of the reader.
Official Course Outline
The official course outline for College Algebra, including content, objectives, and student learning outcomes, can be viewed online via the following link:
Prerequisite Classes
Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Math 50B (or equivalent).Representative Skills
Students must be well-grounded in the art of differentiation. Students must also understand the theory of integration and possess basic integration skills.
Recommended Preparation
Math 45 recommended. However, the instructor will cover the linear algebra that students need to be successful in the study of systems of linear differential equations.
Instructor's Schedule
The following link contains a copy of my schedule, including office hours.
Note: These are "official" office hours. However, I will make myself available whenever I can. Please do not be afraid to ask for help at any time as I am always eager to help.
Office Location and Phone
- Physical Science building PS114A
- Office phone: (707) 476-4222
Cancelled Classes
Those driving long distances to attend classes are advised to call (707) 476-4210 before driving to the CR campus. Choose #5 from a menu of choices. You will then be advised of any cancelled classes for the day in the Physical Sciences complex (math/science). Thus, you can avoid the frustration of driving to campus, only to find that your class has been cancelled.
My email address is: David-Arnold@redwoods.edu
Blackboard
Click the Blackboard icon that follows. This will initiate contact with BlackbBoard. Read the Student Introduction, User Name and Password, and Getting Help sections. Read the Updating Student Information section and adjust your personal information. Be sure to write down your login name and password for future reference. It is extremely important that your email address is current!
Once you login to Blackboard, locate your math class and take some time to find out what is provided. Then read the "Welcome Message" in the Discussion Board and reply to to the "Welcome Message" thread. In the future, use the Discussion Board to discuss issues and problems you are having with your class.
Texts
-
Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Second Edition, Polking Boggess, and Arnold, Prentice Hall publishers, ISBN: 0-13-186236-7.
- Ordinary Differential Equations using Matlab, (Third Edition), Polking and Arnold, Prentice Hall publishers, ISBN: 0-13-145679-2.
-
- The texts are available in the CR Bookstore. The manual is shrinkwrapped with the text for no additional cost.
- There are about six copies available in the College Library. They may be checked out for the semester. Like all library texts, they must be returned at the end of the semester.
- The textbook is available online. If you search online, be sure to use the ISBN's given above. There is a second text that looks almost the same, called Differential Equations, but it doesn't have the needed additional chapters on Fourier, Boundary Value Problems, and Partial Differential Equations. Here are some links I've found for Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Second Edition, ISBN: 0-13-186236-7:
-
- Amazon search: Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Second Edition, ISBN: 0-13-186236-7
- Campusbooks.com search: Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Second Edition, ISBN: 0-13-186236-7
- Bookfinder.com: Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, Second Edition, ISBN: 0-13-186236-7
- And here are some links I've found for the workbook Ordinary Differential Equations Using Matlab, ISBN: 0-13-145679-2.
-
- Amazon search: Ordinary Differential Equations using Matlab, (Third Edition), Polking and Arnold, Prentice Hall publishers, ISBN: 0-13-145679-2
- Campusbooks.com search: Ordinary Differential Equations using Matlab, (Third Edition), Polking and Arnold, Prentice Hall publishers, ISBN: 0-13-145679-2
- Bookfinder.com search: Ordinary Differential Equations using Matlab, (Third Edition), Polking and Arnold, Prentice Hall publishers, ISBN: 0-13-145679-2
Getting Help
Help is available.
- Your instructor is always available for help in PS114A when he isn't teaching class or attending a meeting. Take advantage.
- There are two great study rooms in the Physical Sciences building where the "math geeks" hang out, PS119 and PS116. If you study in these rooms during your break, it is highly likely that there will be people in there who might kindly answer a question or two. Just remember that they have their own studies as well and don't overly monopolize their time.
- As there are not a lot of avenues available for help, in this class, more than any other, it is extremely important that you don't work in isolation. Meet with your fellow students in the class in PS116, form study groups, work on problems together, etc. This is a very tough class to do on your own.
Classroom Environment
It is expected that everyone involved in this class, teacher and students alike, will act in a manner conducive to providing a comfortable environment for learning, a classroom where students feel free to ask and answer questions without fear of embarrassment or ridicule.
It is important to stay on task when class is in session. Hence, conversation not pertaining to the subject at hand should be taken outside the classroom.
I understand that students will have to get up and leave the room for various reasons and I also understand that students will arrive late from time to time. However, courtesy requires that you enter and leave as quietly as possible, without disturbing discussion or lecture.
It is essential for student success to maintain a good environment in the classroom. If you have any personal difficulties with the learning envrionment in the classroom, please visit me in my office to discuss them.
Calculators
Most of our computation and plotting will be done with Matlab. Whatever graphing calculator you currently own will be sufficient for your needs in this course.
One important issue is the TI89 graphing calculator, which does symbolic calculation, including differentiation and integration. It is my position that you should be able to both integrate and differentiate without the use of this calculator. Therefore, it is essential that you show all steps on your homework when performing any integrations to receive full credit for your work.
Matlab
Matlab is a powerful software package created by the engineers at the Mathworks. Matlab software can be installed on several platforms, including Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows XP.
If you do not have a computer capable of running the Matlab software, then you can take advantage of the computing power located in rooms PS116 and PS118. Matlab is installed on each of these machines for use by students in differential equations. If students at the branch campuses need to have Matlab installed on branch campus computers, please contact the instructor at David-Arnold@redwoods.edu.
You can also purchase the student edition of Matlab 7 at
Please check
to see if your system has adequate hardware to run this release of Matlab. This kit includes the Matlab software, the Symbolic Toolbox (an interface to Maple), and Simulink, powerful engineering modeling and design software. The kit also contains a version of the Image Processing and Signal Processing toolboxes, as well as other assorted toolboxes.
The best source I know of for learning Matlab 7 is Mastering Matlab 7. You can learn all about it at the Mastering Matlab Web Site., but the help files that accompany the Matlab software are equally as good.
Computing Resources
The Eureka campus houses computing facilities for its calculus students. They are located in the physical sciences building, room PS116. There are a number of powerful software packages on the machines in this room that will aid in the study of differential equations. See your instructor for login name and password.
Computer Lab -- Code of Conduct
Please see Computer Lab Code of Conduct for a set of rules and guidelines for computer use and maintaining decorum in the study rooms available in the physical sciences building.
Transferring Files to and from the Department Server
Along with your username and password, which allow you to log on to computers in the Math/Science/Engineering computer labs and print your class assignments, you are granted some file storage space on the Math department's file server, MSEMac, which allows you to save files files and access them at school as well as at home. Using the server to store and back up your class files will help ensure that you are always up-to-date on your assignments, will let you work on projects in multiple places, can guard against computer failure, and lets you transfer files from campus and back without needing a memory stick.
The process for connecting to MSEMac is different for Macs and PCs (the former is somewhat simpler). If you have a Mac, please read our guide to connecting to MSEMac for Macs, and if you have a PC, please read our guide to connecting to MSEMac for PCs.
Quizzes
Over the years, I have become more and more frustrated with the approach that students take in their studies. Typically, when students know an exam is coming up, they put on hold studies in their other classes to "cram" for the upcoming test. This is perfectly understandable and I freely admit that I did much the same thing when I was a student.
However, this is really not a good way to learn. Often, students are frustrated to find themselves behind in their other classes as they stuggle to prepare for an exam. They are unable to participate in lectures and they cannot follow the material in class because they are sections behind in their work. This is also frustrating for the teacher as he often winds up talking to himself during lecture.
Consequently, every week or two, you will be given a set of problems in the form of a take home quiz to work on. You will be given approximately 5-7 days to work on your solutions. You will be required to write out an honor pledge stating that the work on the quiz is your own. The honor pledge is to be stapled to the top of your work.
Homework
Homework will be assigned daily and will be due the next class meeting. Each homework will be assigned a grade ranging from 0-10 points, bases on completeness, the following of directions, and the quality of work.
It is essential that students keep up with the homework on a daily basis. Each time you come to class without your homework, you are not prepared to take part in the class at a level geared to your success. Therefore, students are encouraged to hand in homework on time. However, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities that many students have to deal with outside the classroom. Consequently, I do allow a "grace period" of one class period for late work. That is, if you hand your homework in by the next class period, I will still accept the assignment. However, there is an automatic 2-point deduction for late work. Homework later than one class period will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing difficulty getting your homework in on time, or if you know an upcoming event will interfere with getting your homework in on time, please discuss this with your instructor. We can possibly make some arrangment to help facilitate the completion of your work.
In order to facilitate the recording of homework scores, students are required to place their name in the upper right-hand corner of their homework assignment and staple the pages together with a single staple in the upper left-hand corner. On the first line of the of the first page of your homework, please write down the assignement number, the pages that encompass the assignement, and list each exercise number assigned. For example, the first line of your homework might read:
Finally, each student is required to complete a term project in the class. Details for the project will follow below.
Distance Education Students
Each televised meeting begins with a splash screen that contains important information for the class. Be sure to pay close attention to the information provided. The splash screen will contain a phone number you can use to ask questions during class time. The number is: (707) 476-4378.
When you call this number, our technician, John Anderson, will answer the phone and inform me that a question is pending. At the first available moment, we will pause instruction and take your question. The call will be placed on speaker phone so that the entire class can hear your question and my response.
It is a requirement that all distance education students have an email account. It is very important that you keep in contact with me on a regular basis, letting me know how your are doing. Always email or call if your are experiencing difficulty. Do not wait until it is too late.
There are two ways that you can submit your homework.
- If you are on the Eureka campus, the division office in the Physical Sciences building has a mail slot for submitting homework to instructors. Place your homework in the mail slot and the division secretary will place it in my mailbox.
- Distance education students may send in their homework via FAX (This option is available only to distance students. All others must submit their homework during class). The division FAX number is (707) 476-4424.
Guidelines for submitting homework via FAX.
You may scan your homework and submit it via email.
FAXing homework that is legible when I receive it is particularly challenging. Therefore, homework that does not adhere to the following guidelines will receive no credit.
- Use a dark (soft lead) pencil or erasable pen to write your work.
- Leave at least a 1/2 inch margin on all sides of the paper.
- Number and write your name on each page.
- Use only white paper.
- Always send a cover sheet with your name, instructor name, your contact information, and the number of pages sent.
- There is a simple test you can use to determine what your homework will look like when I receive it via FAX. Simply XEROX your homework; the result is probably a little better than what I will receive on my end.
- If you provide a self addressed envelope with postage, I will return your homework to you via the US Postal service. This might be expensive over the course of a semester, so consider one of the next two options.
- If you are taking the class at one of the centers via distance learning, I'll be happy to return your homework via intercampus mail. However, be aware that there will be a 2-3 day turnaround. You must also inform me via email that you wish your homework to be returned in this manner.
- On the Eureka campus, I will maintain file envelopes containing graded homework for each distance student. These are tacked outside my office, PS114A in the Physical Sciences building on the Eureka campus. You may drop in from time to time to pick up graded homework in your folder.
Student Term Projects
Each student in differential equations is required to create a differential equations project. This project will take the place of the final examination in differential equations. The class will meet during the final examination period when students will present their projects.
Distance Students
In the past, some distance students have chosen to attend the final at the Eureka campus to present their project, but other arrangements can be made. Contact your instructor.
Project Requirements
Each student (or student team) must prepare to reports: (1) a paper, and (2) a presenstation. Here are some guidelines:
- The relevant due dates and description of grading can be found in Timelines and Grading.
- You may work alone or as a team. Teams may be composed of no more than two students. If you work as a team, each student must share equally in the workload and verbal presentation of the project. That is, both students must speak before the class. You may not have one student give the oral part of the presentation while the other student handles the visuals, for example.
- The subject of the project must be a real world application of differential equations. There are several good sources for potential projects:
-
- The periodical stacks at the CR or HSU library are a good source for potential projects. Often, it is best to skim the bibliographies of various textbooks for papers involving modeling in disciplines of interest to you before going to the library to search through the periodicals.
- Harvey Mudd College has catalogued all articles in the College Mathematics Journal (Formerly the Two Year College Mathematics Journal) and the Mathematics Magazine of the MAA. A searchable database is available at http://www.math.hmc.edu/journalsearch/.
- There are a number of important environmental sources in our area that you might find potentially inetersting: the pulp mill, the power plant, Pacific Lumber, etc.
- The HSU mathematics department is famous for its mathematical modeling. You might try contacting one of the professors there for a potential project idea. A number of CR mathematics faculty earned their degress at HSU and may suggest project ideas of interest.
- I personally collect papers on applications of differential equations. See me in my office if you would like to browse my collection.
- The individual students or student teams must present their projects to the class. This presentation should include creative and appropriate use of technology as well as use of differential equations technique learned during the semester. You may also use differential equations technique that was not covered during the semester. For example, if you do project in mechanics that requires the use of the Euler-Lagrange equations, then you may take the time to learn the Euler-Lagrange formulation and include this technique in both your paper and presentation.
- Both your paper and presentation must be typeset using Latex.
- You will want to create two folders in your workspace on the network. One folder should be named paper, the other should be named presentation. Place all files associated with your paper in the paper folder and all files associated with your presentation in the presentation folder.
- Your project is complete when your instructor has published both your paper and presentation on the website. Some may object to their papers being placed in such a public forum. Please speak to your instructor privately if you do not wish your paper or presentation to be published on the web.
- The project is mandatory. You will not pass the class if you fail to complete and present your student project.
- Presenters should limit their talk to 15 minutes.
Some thoughts on your presentation.
- Remember that you have all semester to work through the intricate details of the mathematics required by your topic. However, you will quickly put your audience to sleep if you pound them with too much mathematical detail during your presentation. It may be better to concentrate more on the results of your topic during the presentation. Carefully built slides or programmed simulations will capture the attention of the audience, while a sea of mathematical detail might quickly put them to sleep.
- Your paper is a completely different story. It is expected that you will include both the results and images as well as all of the mathematics that produced them. Concentrate on clearly presenting all of the work that you have put into your topic, including all relevant mathematics.
- Your presentation should be completely professional. The use of "gimmicky" sounds and animations are not allowed in your presentation.
- You should not use the whiteboard during your presentation. All of your material should be placed on slides in advance of your presentation.
Grades
To determine your grade in the class, points from homework, "weekly quizzes," and the project will be totaled, then weighted and curved to determine a final grade in the class.The Syllabus is Subject to Change
As your instructor, I reserve the right to make adjustments to the syllabus should things not proceed as smoothly as expected. However, in general, I do not anticipate making changes.