Math 231 - Alexiades - UTK
Math 231   Spring 2022  (section 007)  TR 2:50-4:05   Ayres 120
Differential Equations I
https://web.math.utk.edu/~vasili/231/
Professor Vasilios ALEXIADES, Ayres 213,  974-4922  alexiades@utk.edu
                          Office hours: TR 1:10 - 2:00 and by arrangement
Course Description:   From the Undergraduate Catalog:   231 Differential Equations I (3)
First course emphasizing solution techniques. Includes first-order equations and applications, theory of linear equations, equations with constant coefficients, Laplace transforms, and series solutions.
Prereq: Math 142 or 148.
Texts:
  • Finan, Introductory Notes in ODE open access (FREE!) download site
  • Trench, Elementary Differential Equations, open access (FREE!) download site   chapters 1,2,4,5,6,7,8.
  • Nagle-Saff-Snider, Fundamentals of DEs (any older, much cheaper edition), Pearson   Chapters 1,2,3,4,7,8
    Best for self-study:
  • SIMIODE digital textbook ($39) Differential Equations: A Toolbox for Modeling the World, brand new 2021
  • MIT 18.031x Intro to DEs (may Audit for free), part of: MITx's 18.03x Differential Equations XSeries Program
    If you are happy not having to pay for a book, you may want to fill out this nomination form
    EXAMS:     I : Thu Feb 24     II: Thu Apr 7 ?     FINAL: Tue May 17 3:30-5:30
    Final Exam: it will be comprehensive and it can help you a lot:
              it will replace the lowest of your two exams, if to your advantage.
    Quizes will be given periodically, with at least one class notice. NO MAKEUPS.
    Course Grade = { Q + I + II + F } / 4
              Borderline cases will be decided according to interest shown in class and performance on the Final.
    NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN: If, due to unforseen, dire circumstances, you have to miss an exam,
        you must notify me before the exam and then your score on the Final will substitute the missing grade.
    Grading Scale:   100-90:A, 89-87:A−, 86-83:B+, 82-80:B, 79-77:B−, 76-73:C+, 72-70:C, 69-67:C−, etc
    All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to the Student Judicial Affairs office.
    Some suggestions for studying:
  • Do NOT miss class.
  • Read over the material before it is covered in class.
  • Listen carefully while it is presented in class.
  • Now STUDY it carefully, trying to understand the concepts and ideas involved,
      not merely "how to do it". Learn the definitions.
  • Work out as many problems as possible, at the very least the ones assigned;
      Mathematics can be learned only by doing it !
  • Get your questions answered before too many accumulate.
      Ask questions. No question is too dumb to ask.
  • Try very hard not to fall behind; it is always very difficult to catch up.
  • DO NOT hesitate to ask questions and seek help.
  • Do not hesitate to came talk to me if you are facing difficulties.
    !!! GOOD LUCK !!!
    Please contact me privately if you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability.
    To coordinate reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities, contact the Office of Disability Services (2227 Dunford Hall, 974-6087)
    Course content
      1. 1st order ODEs  ~5 classes
      2. Linear 2nd order ODEs   ~9 classes
      3. Laplace Transform Method   ~6 classes
      4. Series Solution Method   ~5 classes
    ....... Return to 231 course page