MAT6932-004 Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of South Florida

FALL 2007
MWF1:00pm-1:50pm PHY108

Instructor:

Dr. Wen-Xiu Ma, Office: PHY310, Phone: 974-9563.

Office Hours and Location:

MW:200-3:00pm (tentative) or by appointment, PHY310.

Prerequisites:

MAS 3105 Linear Algebra, MAP 2302 Differential Equations, MAC 2313 Calculus III, or equivalent.

Course Description:

This course is designed for students who would like to learn about the qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations such as existence theory, stability theory and chaos. It will focus on linear systems as well as bifurcation and chaos theories.

Course Aim:

The course aims to introduce the fundamental concepts, techniques and theories in the theory of ordinary differential equations.

Course Text:

- J. H. Davis, Differential Equations with Maple (Birkhaeuser, 2001); A. G. Kartsatos, Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations (Mancorp Publishing, 1993); and my own notes.
- Main Topics include existence and uniqueness theorems, linear systems, Floquet theory, phase plane analysis, stability and Lyapunov functions, bifurcation and chaos, etc.
- Notes or tapes of class lectures are not permitted for purposes of sale.

Homework Assignments:

- There will be five homework assignments for the course. All designed exercises will help students to develop their skills and ability to apply the techniques they have learned to concrete situations.
- Homework assigned in Week 3 and Week 8 will be collected for grading on September 19 - Wednesday and October 24 - Wednesday (tentative), respectively.

Examinations:

- There will be three examinations in week 6, week 11 and the final exam week. They are tentatively scheduled for the following dates: October 3 (Wednesday) - Test 1, November 7 (Wednesday) - Test 2, December 14 - Final Exam (1:00pm-3:00pm, Friday, Final Exam Week).
- The contents covered by the exams will be announced in class. The final exam will be comprehensive.

Grading Policy:

- Each of the three exams counts for 30% and homework counts for 10%. Your final score will be computed by these weights.
- A plus/minus grading system will be used for the course. Course letter grades will be decided based on final scores as follows:
90% for A-, 80% for B-, 75% for C-, 50% for D-, 0-49% for F,
and other letter grades will be assigned accordingly.

Attendance:

- Attendance at classes will not be taken. But regular and punctual attendance is important, since the material of the text will be embellished and augmented.
- Attendance at examinations is mandatory. No make-up exam will be given except in the most extenuating of circumstances. If you are sick, a note signed by the physician indicating that you were physically unable to attend class is necessary in order to postpone the exam. A receipt from the infirmary is not a valid excuse. Any sort of excuse must be documented in some manner (prayer cards, tow truck receipts, subpoenas, etc.). You must contact the instructor prior to the exam if circumstances warrant that you cannot attend.

Major Religious Observance:

- No student shall be compelled to attend class or sit for an examination at a day or time prohibited by his/her religious belief. In accordance with the University policy on observance of religious holidays, students are expected to notify the instructor during the first week of class if they anticipate the necessity of being absent from a class or announced examination due to the observation of a major religious observance.

Blackboard Website:

The Blackboard course web site can be entered via the university web single sign-on portal at myUSF Online, from which all All homework assignments and supplementary materials will be available for download.

Links to Related Sites:

Email If you have questions or suggestions, please leave your messages at mawx@cas.usf.edu