Introduction to Differential Equations 65.2400 (Cheney)

Text: See syllabus. A Solutions Manual is also available.

Grading:

Test Rules: One sheet (8.5 by 11 inches) of notes will be permitted for each test and final examination. No other material (books, notes, calculators, laptops, etc.) will be allowed.

If you miss an exam for any reason, your score on the final will be used in place of that exam score. Skipping exams, however, is NOT recommended. If you do better on the final than you've done during the year, your course grade will be your grade on the final. This means that even if you do badly on a test or two, you shouldn't give up! But you should be aware that most people do about the same on the final as they do on the other tests.

If you have questions about the grading, or if you think your test was graded incorrectly, write a note explaining your concern and submit it, along with a copy of your test, to one of the instructors. This will give you practice in persuasive writing, a skill that will be useful to you throughout your life. The instructors will not discuss details of individual test grading in face-to-face meetings.

Homework / Quizzes / Labs: The instructor will assign homework problems, some to be turned in for a grade. Your TA may also assign homework, quizzes, and labs.

Exams: See syllabus for dates. These dates may be subject to change.

Attendance policy: Attendance is recommended but not required. Most students who don't attend regularly don't do well in the course. Those who miss a class are still responsible for finding out from fellow students what happened in class. So make sure you introduce yourself to some of your classmates early in the semester. If you are not attending regularly, you should check the course home page frequently for announcements.

General philosophy: Mathematics is a skill learned by PRACTICE, just like playing a musical instrument or a sport. There's a big difference between watching someone else do it and doing it yourself. Consequently, the best way to do well in this course is to do lots of problems. Try to develop a positive attitude toward doing problems, by thinking of them as little puzzles.

If you get stuck on a problem, check the solutions manual and the solutions posted on the Web for help. If that doesn't clear up the difficulty, talk to others in the class about it. You are doing other students a favor by asking them for help, because one of the best ways to learn material is to explain it to someone else. If none of these approaches work, ask the T.A. or professor.

Tests are meant as diagnostic devices, to help you discover which areas you have mastered and which you haven't. You should go over your test carefully, compare your answers with the posted solutions, and make sure you understand why you missed the problems you missed. Be sure to work extra problems on those topics. In mathematics, later topics often build on earlier ones, so it's not wise to skip things you don't understand.

Don't worry too much about grades. In general, if you master the material, the grades will take care of themselves. In our class you always have a chance to improve your grade by doing well on the final exam.

Academic integrity: The general philosophy is that work you present as yours for grading should indeed be your own.

With respect to tests and quizes, this means that you should write your paper without the assistance of others and within the rules established for that test. If are are uncertain about the rules, ask.

For practice problems that are not to be handed in and graded, you are free to seek assistance from any person, book, or computer. For homework assignments to be turned in for a grade, you may work with others, but you should write down the names of people you worked with on the paper you hand in. If you choose to work jointly, remember that you are responsible for knowing all of the course material.