Required Materials 

Calculator: You must have access to technology that enables you to (1) Graph a function, (2) Find the zeroes of a function. (3) Do numerical integration. Most ACC faculty are familiar with the TI family of graphing calculators. Hence, TI calculators are highly recommended for student use. Other calculator brands can also be used. Your instructor will determine the extent of calculator use in your class section.

Other Technology: Access to the Internet is required for access to Blackboard and for submitting written homework in Blackboard.

Making Time to Learn

We learn math by thinking about and working on mathematical problems, which takes time. Practice is crucial in a math course. To ensure that you have adequate time, set aside 8-12 hours per week outside of class time to practice and study for this course.  Ask for help immediately when something isn’t clear.

Getting Help

ACC provides several free resources for students who need help; descriptions and links are below: 

Office hours: Another name for office hours is “student hours.” This is the time your instructor has set aside to answer student questions, so feel free to drop by if you have questions. Office hours may be virtual or on campus; see information above.

Instructional Associates: Instructional Associates specific to the course you are taking are available for tutoring. To make an appointment, go to https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/math-students/meet/list and then click on your course.

Learning Labs: The ACC Learning Labs provide tutoring in math and other subjects. To schedule an appointment, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/learning-lab. This site includes information about in person and virtual tutoring options.

Academic Coaching: Academic coaches offer extra support to students with study strategies; they want to help you learn to be an active participant in your own learning process. For more information or to make an appointment with an academic coach, go to https://www.austincc.edu/students/academic-coaching.

ACC Student Services: Services are offered in many areas, including Academic, Financial, Personal, and Technology Support.  For more information, go to https://www.austincc.edu/student-support.

Grades

Grade Components

Tests 1-3: 60%

Test 4 (Final): 25%

Handwritten Homework: 10%

Project(s): 5%

Grading Scale

A: 90 - 100

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

D: 60 – 69

F: < 60

Where can I find my grades?

Grades will be posted in Blackboard. Do NOT use the Blackboard app to determine your grade, as this app computes the grades incorrectly.  I will generally post the Exam Average, the Written Homework Average, and the Overall Course Average, along with a tentative current letter grade, all in Blackboard.  These grades should be regarded as Approximate, until after the final exam has been graded and final grades have been computed.  If you have any questions about your grade, please email me or see me during office hours.

What will we do in this class?

Tests:

There will be 3 exams, each of which will count 20% of your overall course grade, and a fourth exam which is a cumulative final and is worth 25% of your overall course grade.  The dates of the exams are noted on the schedule, always on the Thursday of the exam week. All tests will be administered in class. Partial credit is given on exams when the answer is wrong and when the methods used are partially correct.  However, the amount of partial credit given on exams is at the discretion of the instructor.

Homework:

Homework will be assigned every week (on Thursday in Blackboard in the Homework Box) and is due before class the next Thursday.  Instructions on how to access the Blackboard Homework Box will be discussed on the first day of class.

It is vital that students NOT get behind on homework. Make use of tutoring resources and office hours if you have questions about the homework.  You may work in groups on homework, but the homework you submit must represent your own work. Get help when you need it, but first try to do as much of the work on your own as you can.  You need to learn how to set up and solve the problems yourself.  If you don’t, then you will not do well on the tests.

Project(s): One or more projects will be assigned during the course.  These will be discussed in class.

What happens if I miss something?

Dropped Grade Policy: The lowest three written homework section grades will be dropped for computing the final grade.  No test grades will be dropped or replaced.

Late Homework Policy: Some flexibility for late written homework may be permitted.  However, it is very important that students not get behind in learning the material.  You might want to start working on the homework as soon as possible so you don’t get behind.  Also, be sure to turn in as much homework as you can, even if it is not perfect or completely finished.  Turning in some homework is better than turning in no homework.

Missed Exam Policy: Missing an exam is very serious and should be avoided if possible.  Makeup exams are disruptive and inconvenient to both the student and the instructor.  If you know that you must miss an exam, contact the instructor as early as possible, and no later than 24 hours after the missed exam.  But it is still at the discretion of the instructor to give a makeup exam.  Also, if you miss an exam and notify the instructor, you must pay attention and respond to your ACC email so that you can coordinate with the instructor in case a makeup exam is offered.

Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students. If a student has four or more absences, or if compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw the student from the class.  In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances, the student is responsible for communicating with their instructor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their instructor because of class sessions being missed.

Participation Policy: Students are expected to be present in the classroom, and to participate actively.  Occasionally, the instructor may call upon students in class to answer questions or to help work problems.

Course Content

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours:4

MATH 2420 – Differential Equations (4-4-0). A course in the standard types and solutions of linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations, include Laplace transform techniques. Series methods (power or Fourier) will be applied to appropriate differential equations. Systems of linear differential equations will be studied.

Course Rationale

This is a traditional introductory course in the standard types and solutions of linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations and systems of linear differential equations usually taken by mathematics, engineering and computer science students.

The Details

First Day Access: To enhance your learning experience and provide affordable access to the right course material, this course is part of an inclusive access model called First Day™. You can easily access the required materials for this course through Blackboard, at a discounted price, and benefit from single sign-on access.  Austin Community College includes the discounted price as a course fee in your registration fees for this course.

It is NOT recommended that you Opt Out, as these materials are required to complete the course. You can choose to Opt Out on the first day of class, but you will be responsible for purchasing your course materials at the full retail price and access to your materials may be suspended. See your course in Blackboard for details.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.  State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Reinstatement Policy: Students who withdrew or were withdrawn will not be reinstated unless they have completed all coursework, projects, and exams necessary to place them at the same level of course completion as the rest of the class. Reinstatement is up to the instructor’s approval.

Incomplete Grade Policy: Incomplete grades (I) will be given only in very rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I", a student must be up to date on coursework and have a passing grade, and after the last date to withdraw, have a legitimate reason that prevents course completion. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Communication with Your Instructor: All e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account or math software if applicable, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors.  Instructors will respond to student emails within 3 business days. If no response has been received by the student at the end of that time, then the student should send a reminder to the instructor.

Name Change Information: If you want to change how your name appears online at ACC, go to https://www.austincc.edu/admissions/update-student-information/chosen-name.

General College Policies: Policies that apply to all courses at ACC can be found here: https://www.austincc.edu/offices/academic-outcomes-assessment/master-syllabi/college-policies.

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook and software access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill.    

Textbook: Differential Equations: An Introduction to Modern Methods and Applications, 3rd Edition by Brannan & Boyce. Wiley (WileyPlus software) ISBN: 9781119031871

Course Calendar

Note: Schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced.

Important Dates

Last day to withdraw: Monday, July 22, 2024

Holidays: Independence Day (Thursday, July 4, 2024)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, a student should be able to:

1. Identify and classify homogeneous and nonhomogeneous equations/systems, autonomous equations/systems, and linear and nonlinear equations/systems.
2. Solve first order differential equations using standard methods, such as separation of variables, integrating factors, exact equations, and substitution methods; use these methods to solve analyze real-world problems in fields such as economics, engineering, and the sciences.
3. Solve second and higher order equations using reduction of order, undetermined coefficients, and variation of parameters; use these methods to solve analyze real-world problems in fields such as economics, engineering, and the sciences.
4. Solve systems of equations and use eigenvalues and eigenvectors to analyze the behavior and phase portrait of the system; use these methods to solve analyze real-world problems in fields such as economics, engineering, and the sciences.
5. Use Laplace transforms to solve initial value problems.
6. Solve boundary value problems and relate the solution to the Fourier series; use these methods to solve analyze real-world problems in fields such as economics, engineering, and the sciences.

General Education Competencies

1. Critical Thinking: gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information is covered in every SLO. 
2. Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning: applying mathematical, logical, and scientific principles and methods is covered in every SLO. 
3. Technology Skills: using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information is covered in SLOs # 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. 
4. Written, Oral and Visual Communication: communicating effectively adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium is covered in every SLO.