MA 334

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra II

Mark Parker

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

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

Lab: Th, 11:00 - 12:15, Fortin 115

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 differential equations and matrix basics, we’ll spend a little time modeling with systems of differential equations. Before focusing on the theory of systems, we'll explore vector spaces and linear transformations. Then, we'll see how the linear algebra theory blends with the theory of linear systems. We'll take a side trip to focus on modeling forced and unforced oscillators - 2nd order differential equations. Finally, we will extend these linear systems of differential equations into the nonlinear realm, where we look at linearization as a simplifying tool. We'll end with a brief introduction to partial differential equations.

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, 3rd Edition	Blanchard, Devaney, and Hall	Thomson
	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