MA 334

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra II

Mark Parker

Class: MWF, 2:00 - 2:50, Civil Engineering 201

Lab: Th, 9:30 - 10:45, Fortin 115

Recitation: T, 9:30 - 10:45, Simperman 114

Introduction

We will start this course by looking at differential equations. After a quick review, we'll explore applications involving the solution of second order linear differential equations with constant coefficients. Such equations are then viewed in their relationship to selected partial differential equations with both initial and boundary values conditions. Second order equations are extended to systems of linear differential equations, which we'll tie back to systems of difference equations and solve with a formal linear algebra approach using eigenvalues and eigenvectors. We will extend these linear systems of differential equations into the nonlinear realm, where we look at linearization as a simplifying tool. On the linear algebra front, we will formalize our explorations of vector spaces, spanning sets, and, linear transformations.

We will continue our threaded approach to learning mathematics by exploring differential equations from a linear algebra perspective. In our journey, we will make use of the graphing calculator, Mathematica, and Java Applets to help us visualize and solve.

Text

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, First Edition

Farlow, Hall, McDill, and West

Prentice Hall

Grading

Your grade will translate to a letter grade as follows :

• A 90% or better
• B 80% or better
• C 70% or better
• D 60% or better
• F otherwise