Free Tutoring: GL 120 (MTWR 09:00-20:00, F 09:00-17:00); ask for the mathematics tutors.  For more information about math help, click here. Additionally,  Michael Ibalmea  is our Learning Assistant, and he will be helping you with course and homework questions.  The LA session rooms and times will be set by you on 01/10.  To contact the LA, just email him.

Communication: If need be, I will communicate with you through your FIU email account; so be sure to check it often.  Attendance: It is strongly recommended that you attend all  class meetings. If  you cannot attend a lecture, it is your responsibility to cover the missed material or to get the notes from a class mate. 

Course introduction and  purpose: Differential equations are mathematical equations used to describe natural phenomena. They can classify in two categories: ordinary differential equations and partial diferential equations. This course focuses on ordinary differential equations, more precisely, first-order differential equations and higher-order linear differential equations. This course introduces students to techniques for solving basic ordinary differential equations.  The  first-order differential equations tackled include: exact differential equations,  separable and homogeneus equations,  and  linear differential equations. As for  higher-order linear differential  equation, we will  discuss the characteristic polynomial method for homogeneous equations, the method of undetermined  coefficients and the method of variation of parameters for nonhomogeneous equations. We'll also discuss series method and the Laplace transform method.

Course outcome: After completing the course, students should be able to:
                                   - identify different types of differential equations,
                                    -  solve first-order exact, separable, homogeneous, and linear equations,
                                    -  solve higher-order linear differential equations using the method of charcteristic polynomial, the method of undetermined coefficients, the method of variation of parameters, series method , and Laplace transform method.

Early Alerts:  The early alerts system is there to help you succeed in this course by detecting difficulties with the course early on in the semester, so that they can be addressed  with your advisor.  Here is how it works: if you are not performing well in the course or if you are frequently absent, I will inform your advisor so that you will be contacted to discuss either issue.

Spring 10:  Test 1  Test2   Test1-key    Test2-key      Spring 08: Test 1  Test2  Test 3

RECOMMENDED PROBLEMS

Recommendations: Begin to do your homework from today, January 08, till the last day of class. Set your goal for the course right from the beginning, and work tirelessly toward it; do not let anyone or anything divert you from your goal. Many students have trouble passing this course because there are many different notions to assimilate within one semester. However, if you put the necessary effort into it, then you'll succeed. Be sure to always come to class well prepared to tackle the topic of the day; read the section(s) to be covered beforehand; doing this will make it easier for you to understand the material to be discussed in class. Do not fall behind; it might prove very difficult to catch up afterwards. Be sure to attend classes regularly, and to diligently deal with any questions or concerns you might have. Remember that I, the LA, and other free tutoring help are here to help you succeed; so do not be shy or afraid to ask questions about a notion that you do not understand; it is absolutely normal  not to be able to catch every apple as it falls from the tree, but be sure to pick up those that have escaped your grasp. It is my responsibility to make sure that your questions and concerns are swiftly addressed to your satisfaction. Avoid being a passive learner; I expect you to be active in and outside the classroom by regularly coming to class well prepared, by doing the homework as we move along the sections, and by asking questions on concepts or homework problems that you find hard. To facilitate your progress with problem solving, it would be better to note down the homework problems that you could not solve as well as the reason why (maybe you did it and your answer was not the same as the one at the back of the book, or you started and could not complete, or you did it differently than the solution manual and want to ckeck whether your approach is correct, or you could not even start); that would be very helpful when you raise questions about them. You will  acquire the necessary skills needed to successfully complete  this course by doing your homework. I will do my best to help you, and I expect you to do your best. Do not wait until the eve of a test or quiz to try to catch up on every thing; it would be too late. After  a test or quiz has been graded, be sure to  discuss your mistakes with  me or the LA so that you do not make the same mistakes in subsequent tests or quizzes.
Always do your best. "Never do tomorrow what you can do today. Proscratination is the thief of time''.  Commitment +Effort=Success. Always do your best.

Evaluation:
- Three in-class tests  ( Thursday Feb. 07; Thursday  March 07;  Thursday  April 11 )
-Ten  quizzes ( Th Jan. 17,  Th  Jan. 24,  Th  Jan.  31,  Th Feb. 14, Th Feb 21, Th Feb 28, Th March 21,  Th March 28, Th April 4, Th April  18)
- Cumulative Final exam ( Thursday April 25, 2019, 09:45-11:45 AM, same room.)

The three in-class tests will make up 60% of the final grade while the  ten quizzes will account for 10% of the final grade.  The final exam is cumulative, and will be worth 30%. You will be required to produce a photo ID before taking any of the tests, and before writing the final exam. Arrange to be in the room about ten minutes before the class starts; do not arrive late on a quiz or test day, else you will not be allowed to take the quiz or test, and you'll get a zero.  During an exam, you'll not be allowed to leave the room before you are done. For students who took all the quizzes and tests, we will also use the alternate grading scheme: Term work 50%, and final exam 50%, whichever produces the highest grade. No calculators, or ipods, ipads or pagers or cellphones are allowed during the exams or class time; you are not allowed to use or check these devices during the exam or class time, they must be off.  If you're caught with your phone or smart watch during an exam, it will be considered an act of cheating, and you'll get a zero on that exam. There will be no make-up for missed tests or quizzes. If you miss a test/quiz and you produce a doctor certificate indicating that you were sick and unable to write the test/quiz, then the corresponding grade will be added to the final exam grade, otherwise, a zero will be recorded for any missed test/quiz.

Grading Scale:

00-39      F                      40-59   D                     60-64   C   
65-69     C+                    70-74    B-                   75-79   B
80-84     B+                    85-89   A-                    90-100  A

Important Dates: 
March 18  is the last date to drop the course with a DR  grade. It is of a great importance that you accurately assess your course performance prior to this date.  The university is closed on Monday  January 21 for MLK Day.
Spring Break: March 11-16, 2019.