Instructor:  David Rutschman
Office Hours: MW 2-4 pm, and 6-7 pm (in S-218D, except for Study Hall (W:  2:20-4 pm) or by appointment.
Phone:  (773) 442-5780 (office) / (773) 275-5389 (home)
Class:  MW 4:15 - 5:30 pm, S-311
Text:  Differential Equations, Blanchard, Devaney & Hall, Second Edition.

This course will thoroughly cover the first three chapters of the text and selected topics from the remaining chapters.  The prerequisite for this course is Calculus III.  The software used in class is Maple.  Classwork will often involve individual and group work.  We will attempt to make this an internet enhanced class with the use of a class listserve (DR-MATH-L).

Evaluation of your performance in the course is based on:

• Reading questions:  In order to encourage you to read the text before class, I will give you 'reading questions' at the end of each class.  You may respond to them by email to me (d-rutschman@neiu.edu) or in writing (handed in at the beginning of the next class).  You will receive 1 point for each response.

• Quizzes:  There will be occasional in-class quizzes, individual or group, typically worth 10 points.

• Homework/Projects:  There will be two types of assignments to be handed in:  homework and projects.  Homework will consist of problems assigned from the text due within a week.  Projects will be more elaborate assignments, and you will have several weeks to work on them.  Please refer to the Homework Guidelines for formatting and policies.  I will attempt to provide an answer key to the homework or go over the problems in class when the assignment is handed in.  For this reason, late homework cannot be accepted under most circumstances.  A normal homework assignment will be worth 10 or more points.  Projects will be worth between 20 and 50 points.

• Test:  A 100 point midterm test is tentatively scheduled for October 11.

• Final:  A 100 point final examination will be given on Wednesday, December 15, 4 - 5:50 pm.

Feel free to stop by my office to give me feedback or to get help with the course.  I would like to get to know each of you, and hope that you enjoy the semester.  If for any reason you decide to drop the course please talk with me before doing so.

Math 301 page

David Rutschman's Home Page

Homework Guidelines

Homework problems may be discussed with others, including classmates or the instructor.  It is assumed, nonetheless, that you fully understand the solution you hand in and that the write-up is your own.  Copying someone else's work is not allowed and will result in an F for the course for both parties involved.  Homework that does not follow the guidelines that follow will be returned ungraded.

1) Homework should be handed in on 8.5" by 11" paper with your name on the upper right corner of the first sheet.  Multiple sheets should be clipped or stapled together.

2) Problems must be written up in the order assigned.

3) Illegible work will not be counted.  This means work neatly!  I suggest that you work the problems on scratch paper as a first draft (to keep for your records) and then make a final copy to hand in.  It is preferable to use pencil to allow for erasures.  Crossing out is not acceptable.

4) All work must be shown.  Do not omit steps.  Whenever possible write your answer in words, and make appropriate comments.  When writing use full sentences with correct spelling and grammar.

Compliance with these guidelines will help get homework returned more quickly and make my job more pleasant.

Math 301 page

David Rutschman's Home Page