MA 334

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra II

Mark Parker

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

Lab: T, 11:00 - 12:15, Simperman 146

Recitation: Th, 11:00 - 12:15, Civil Engineering 201

Introduction

We will focus on both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of differential equations, and the theory and applications of linear algebra. After a brief review of first and second order differential equations and matrix basics, we’ll spend a little time exploring applications of second order linear differential equations with constant coefficients. We’ll use second order equations as a jump to linear systems of differential equations, which we’ll tie back to systems of difference equations and solve with a formal linear algebra approach using eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Finally, 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, Matlab, and Java Applets to help us visualize and solve.

Text

	Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Preliminary 2nd Edition draft copy only available in book store	Farlow, Hall, McDill, and West	Prentice Hall
	Elementary Linear Algebra, 2nd Edition (Canadian) this is the book you used in MA 232	Nicholson	McGraw-Hill Ryerson

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