Math 256 - Differential Equations - Fall 2007 - Prof. Mark Janeba

Meetings
MWF 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Collins 201 
Office: Collins Hall 304
E-mail: mjaneba@willamette.edu
Phone/Voice Mail: (503) 370-6123

Text: Calculus Elementary Differential Equations, 8th edition, by Boyce & DiPrima
ISBN 978-0-471-43339-2, published by Wiley
We will cover roughly chapters 1-4, and selected portions of chapters 6, 5, 7, and 8 (probably in that order).

Grading:

Course Points
Weekly quizzes at 25 points each,
except on exam weeks, drop 2 lowest:		 200 points (approx)
Three one-hour exams at 100 points each: 300 points
A group projects at 75 points: 75 points
Homework: To be discussed
Comprehensive Final exam: 200 points
Total: 775 points (approx)
For each graded piece of work, I will post cutoff scores for grades of A-, B-, C, C-, and D. At the end of the term, if your point total is more than the total of the A- cutoffs, your grade will be an A- or better, and so on. However, see the note below on grade adjustments. Cutoffs will never be higher than this:

A- B- C C- D
90% 80% 70% 67% 60%
... but they are often lower.
Exam makeup policy: Exam make-ups or early hour exams are given only for verifiable illness or for university-sanctioned intercollegiate activities. For collegiate activities, you must see me before you leave to arrange a makeup time. In any case, contact me in advance except in emergencies.

Final exam time is Friday, Dec.14, 2007, from 8-11 am, as set by the University; early finals will not be given. Please make your travel plans now.


The project will be done by assigned groups. One paper per group is to be submitted, and a common grade is given.

Quizzes, Homework, and Participation

Quizzes are 15 to 25 minutes long, with problems that resemble homework. We will usually have a quiz in any week without an exam or a project due. Some weeks may be more crowded.

Homework is assigned daily but my tentative plans is that is will not be collected; however, skipping or putting off homework will damage your grade badly. Don't let this happen to you. Careful and precise writing is required on exams. Such writing does not come automatically, so it will help to practice careful writing on your homework.

Please come to class prepared to discuss the previous night's homework.

Academic Honesty Expectations

All exams and quizzes are to be taken with books and notes closed (except as noted on the exam paper), completely on your own. Anything you can electronically store on an ordinary graphing calculator is acceptable unless otherwise directed, but written notes are prohibited.  Palmtop computers normally will not be allowed in quizzes and exams.  Calculators with symbolic algebra capabilities (e.g. TI-89, TI-92) may not be allowed on certain portions of some exams.

On written group assignments, you may (and should) discuss the problem, methods of approach, examples you have found, and even the solution(s), with anyone. You may use any source you find useful, but you must acknowledge your sources in writing in the assignment.  Grading is based primarily on the amount of work and thought that students have applied to their sources and the extent to which they have demonstrated understanding of them.

Plagiarism is the copying or paraphrasing of any work from another source without proper written acknowledgement.  You should not see (or hear) the written report or report-draft of any student outside your group until reports are graded. I will treat any such occurrence as plagiarism. All group members are responsible for knowing all the sources their group's members used in making a report. All involved with plagiarized projects will receive failing project grades.

In keeping with college policy, plagiarism will be reported to the dean (see student handbook). Systematic or organized plagiarism on exams or quizzes will result in course failure. If you are uncertain about some aspect of the academic honesty policy, it is your responsibility to get clarification from the instructor.

Last Modified August 29, 2007.
Prof. Janeba's Home Page | Send comments or questions to: mjaneba<at>willamette.edu
Department of Mathematics | Willamette University Home Page