First-day Handout

Fall 2015

M 427J Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

Instructor:
Office Hours:
Text:
Class Time:
Discussion Time:

Dr. Bill Wolesensky, RLM 13.160, wolesensky@math.utexas.edu

MWF 11:00 12:00 or by appointment
Differential Equations and Their Applications, 4th Edition, Martin Braun
MWF 2:00 3:00 in JGB 2.216 (Section 53290)
T,TH 5:00 6:00 in JGB 2.216

TA Information:
Office Hours:

Soledad Villar, RLM 10.126

T,TH 3:30 5:00 pm, TH 6:00 7:00 pm

RESTRICTIONS AND PREREQUISITES: C- in M 408D, M 308L, M 408L, M 308S, M 408S

or M 408M, or consent of instructor.

GRADES: On all work, your grade will be computed as a percentage: the number of points you
earned divided by the number of points possible. It is unlikely that any grade will be curved.
The percentages of each type of work that will be used to compute your final grade are given
below. Your letter grade will be given based on your numerical average earned in the class, on a
scale not stricter than the following: you are guaranteed a D- for 60 or above, C- for 70 or
above, C for 73 or above, C+ for 77 or above, B- for 80 or above, B for 83 or above, B+ for 87 or
above, A- for 90 or above, and an A for 93 or above.
Grade Determination: The course grade that you earn will be based on the following
work/quizzes/exams. Included is the percent that the work/quizzes/exams count towards the
determination of your final course grade.
Quizzes
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Total

20%
25%
25%
30%
100%

Description of Graded Material:

1. In Class Quizzes. Starting the week of August 31st, there will be weekly quizzes given
in discussion. These quizzes will similar to homework assigned in the syllabus as well as
supplemental homework problems that will be given. There will be approximately 12
such weekly assignments; regardless of the final number of weekly assignments, you will
be allowed to drop your two lowest percentage scores.
2. Exam 1 and Exam 2. These will be written, in-class, hour exams. If you do miss an
exam, the percentage score on your final exam will be used to replace the missed exam
score. If you miss both hour exams, you may obtain a makeup exam for the second
exam provided that: 1) You are physically unable to attend class (in which case you
will need to have your illness documented) and 2) notify me beforehand via email (if
physically able). Both 1) and 2) must done, otherwise you will receive a 0 for exam 2.

For example, that family members bought you airline tickets for travel on the day of an exam will
not be an appropriate reason to miss an exam.

3. Final Exam. You will have a comprehensive final exam during finals week. Your final exam
will be: Section 53290: Thursday, December 10, 2:00-5:00; Section 53275: Wednesday,
December 9, 9:00-12:00. The final exam will comprise 30% of your final grade. Your final
exam can be used to replace the lower of your two regular semester exams, if the final exam score
is higher than either of them (or if you missed an exam).
Lecture Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule. I reserve the right to amend this schedule as
necessary (including covering additional topics if time permits), although the timing of exams will not
change. In addition, supplemental material with be supplied as necessary.

Week of
8/24 8/28
8/31 9/4
9/7 9/11
9/14 9/18
9/21 9/25
9/28 10/2
10/5 10/9
10/12 10/16
10/19 10/23
10/26 10/30
11/2 11/6
11/9 11/13
11/16 11/20
11/23 11/27
11/30 12/4

M
1.9
Labor Day

2.2.2
2.5
2.8.1
3.1
3.3
3.5
3.7
3.9
3.11
5.1
5.4
5.6

W
8/26 1.1, 1.2
1.10
2.2
2.3
2.8
Catch up/Review

3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
3.10
Review/Catch up

TH

F
1.4
2.1
2.2.1
2.4
2.8/2.8.1
Exam 1
3.2/3.3
3.4/3.5
3.6/3.7
3.8/3.9
3.10/3.11
Exam 2
5.3

5.2
5.5

Thanksgiving Break

Catch up/Review

Catch up/Review

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Upon request, the University of Texas at Austin provides
appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information,
contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259 or 471-6441 TTY.

Additional Services: Counselling and Mental Health Center. Student Services Bldg (SSB), 5th
Floor Hours: M--F 8am--5pm
ATTENDANCE: This course is structured with the expectation that you will attend every lecture and
discussion session, and your grade will benefit from your attendance. Of course, sometimes an absence is
necessary. In such a situation, you should contact a classmate to get notes, due dates and other
information for the class you missed. Please introduce yourself to and write the names and contact
information of at least two classmates below.
1.

2.

If you choose to miss class, do not email me to ask what material was covered during class, what the
assignments are, when assignments were made or are due, what sections the exams will cover, or any
other question that has been answered or will be answered during class. I will not respond to such
queries. If you miss class, accept responsibility for your absence without involving me.
I have office hours, and will be happy to meet with you; you should take advantage of this access. Come
as soon as you have questions if you wait, it will be hard or impossible to catch up.
Before you email me to ask a question about the rules or procedures of this course, please read through
this handout to see if the answer is already included in the document.

Assigned Homework (this is tentative and I reserve the right to make necessary changes).
In addition, supplement exercises will be assigned throughout the course.
1.1 None
1.2 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17
1.4 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17
1.9 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12,16
1,10 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 17
2.1 2, 3, 4, 7, 12
2.2 1 8, 10, 11
2.2.1 1 6, 8, 9, 13
2.2.2 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 14
2.3 1, 2, 3
2.4 1 - 9
2.5 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14, 18
2.8 1, 4, 6, 7, 14, 15
2.8.1 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9
3.1 TBA

3.2 TBA
3.3 TBA
3.4 TBA
3.5 TBA
3.6 TBA
3.7 TBA
3.8 TBA
3.9 TBA
3.10 TBA
3.11 TBA
5.1 TBA
5.2 TBA
5.3 TBA
5.4 TBA
5.5 TBA
5.6 TBA