Syllabus for Introduction to Partial Differential Equations
Dr. Abdul Hasten
Office: Robinson Hall, Mathematics Department Room 229E
Phone (856) 256-4500 ext 3888. e-mail: hassen@rowan.edu
Office Hours: TR 11:00am - 12pm and by appointment
PREREQUISITE: Ordinary Differential Equations
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course is a study of partial differential equations and their applications. Topics include a derivation of the wave equation, Laplace’s equation, heat equation, Fourier series and integrals, boundary value problems, Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials.
OBJECTIVES: Students in this course will become familiar with the three main types of partial differential equations (PDEs) and how they arise from physical problems. The important technique of separation of variables will be used to reduce the PDE to a system of ODEs (ordinary differential equations). The use of Fourier series and integrals will be explained. Solutions in other orthogonal functions will be examined. The use of a high-level mathematics programming language (such as Mathematica) to simplify the analytical computations will be encouraged.
TEXT: Davis, John, Introduction to Applied Partial Differential Equations, W. H. Freeman; First Edition
CONTENT:
GRADING POLICY: Students will be graded based on three tests (90% of grade) and homework (10 % of grade).
HOMEWORK: The best way to learn math is by doing math. Please attempt as may problems as you can from the text. Homework exercises that must be done and submitted in class will be posted soon.
The materials in each test will be as follows:
Test 1 (30%) covers all sections of chapters 1, 2, and 3
Test 2(30%) covers chapters 4 and 5.
Test 3(30%) covers chapters 6 and 7.
Numerical grades will be converted to letter grades by the following scale.
A (-)= 90 to 100 B(-,+) = 80 to 89 C(-,+) = 70 to 79 D(-,+)= 60 to 69 F= 0 to 59
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. An attendance sheet will be passed around at the
beginning of each class period. Please write your signature next to your
printed name on the list. If you are absent/tardy from
a class, you must submit a note requesting that the absence/tardiness be
excused by the next class meeting. Each student is allowed a total of three
unexcused absences/tardies (combined). If you miss a
class, it is your responsibility to study the section(s) covered and do the
homework.
If you are absent the day of a regularly scheduled test, a grade of zero is
automatically recorded as your test score. You will be permitted to make up
this zero only when you can confirm that you were absent for reasons beyond
your control. In such cases, you must telephone 256-4500 extension 3888
(or send me an e-mail) and leave a message including your name and telephone
number, the reason for your absence and the date you anticipate returning. Students
who fail to leave the above information will be assigned the grade of zero for
that test.
Academic Integrity: Cheating on a
test or assignment seriously undermines the integrity of the academic system
and will not be tolerated. If I determine that a student has cheated, I
will assign the grade of F for this course and send a letter to this effect to
his advisor. Although a student is not cheating, he or she is expected to
refrain from actions that could be suspicious. Using common sense on your
part should avoid unnecessary embarrassment.
You may visit the website http://www.rowan.edu/provost/policies/AcademicIntegrity.htm for more information on Academic Integrity policy at Rowan University.
Classroom rules:
Students are not permitted to leave the classroom during class period except for emergencies or unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Please use the restrooms before class begins.
Students with Disabilities and Special Needs:
Please speak with me as early in the semester as possible so that we can make
appropriate accommodations for you. If necessary, you can also contact the
Office of Special Services.
Questions in Class: The best time
to ask questions is during class. Many times students fear that their questions
will seem foolish, while in fact, many others also have the same
question. I urge you to ask your questions during class. If you have
questions that were not answered in class, you may stop by my office during the
following office hours.