Ordinary Differential Equations

Math 677-001

Fall 2007

This is the web page http://math.gmu.edu/~wanner/courses/m677f07/index.html
It will be updated regularly and always contain the latest information on the course.

General Information:

Instructor: Thomas Wanner
Office: Room 205, ST1
E-mail: wanner@math.gmu.edu
Web Page: http://math.gmu.edu/~wanner/
Phone: (703) 993-1472
Fax: (703) 993-1491
Office hours: TR 4:30-5:30pm, and by appointment

Lectures: TR 5:55-7:10pm, Room 242, ST1
Prerequisites: A thorough knowledge of advanced calculus and linear algebra is assumed. Also, familiarity with the theorem-proof style of presentation is important.
Textbook: Ordinary Differential Equations with Applications, Second Edition, by Carmen Chicone (Springer, 2006).

Important Links:

Syllabus:

This course provides an introduction to the dynamics of ordinary differential equations. Specific topics include existence theory, linear and nonlinear systems of ordinary differential equations, stability theory of equilibrium solutions, invariant manifolds, elementary bifurcation theory, strange attractors. It will also be demonstrated how these methods can be used in applications. A more detailed syllabus can be found here. It will be updated weekly.

Homework Assignments:

Homework problems will be assigned once a week and posted on the homework page. Some of these assignments will be graded and count towards your homework score. While the remaining ones do not have to be handed in, I do advise everyone strongly to study them and write out the solutions properly. I will go through many of the homework problems in the following class and you will not benefit from this if you have not made a serious attempt at solving them.

Grading Policy:

Your final grade in the course will be determined from graded homework assignments, your performance in a midterm exam, and a comprehensive final exam (dates and details to be announced). Weights for these items will be distributed approximately according to the following schedule:

Homework Midterm Exam Final Exam
30% 30% 40%

Thomas Wanner, August 28, 2007.