Dr. Neil Balmforth
COURSES

ODEs

This course provides an introduction to solution methods for ODEs.



Anouncements:


Some video lectures:
Lecture 1 (linear, second-order, constant-coefficient ODEs)
Lecture 2 (sample ODE problems)
Lecture 3 (mechanical oscillators)
PDE example (material at the very end of the course)


The syllabus:
I. First-order ODEs (integrating factors, separable equations)
II. Second-order, constant coefficient ODEs (real, repeated and complex roots; homogeneous and inhomogeneous)
III. Systems of ODEs
IV. Laplace Transform methods
V. Fourier series
VI. Solution of partial differential equations by separation of variables


Assessment will involve coursework (homework problems) and examination.

Recommended texts:
Boyce and DiPrima, "Elementary differential equations and boundary value problems"
E. Kreiszig, "Advanced Engineering Mathematics"
On-line "Notes on Diffy Qs" by J. Lebl

Office hours: Wed 1pm, Fri 2pm


The TA: for section 102, the main TA will be Peilin Wu (peilinwu@math); contact him for help with webwork. He will be in an online xzoom session of the MLC on Wednesdays 5:00-7:00.
TA office hours: Tuesdays 5-6pm. These will be conducted by the three TAs for Math 256 (Pelin Wu, Hody Chang (hodychang@math) and Jupiter Algorta (jupitera@math).



Background knowledge
Fun with complex numbers
Notation and more
Some terse notes

Coursework involves Webwork, which must be accessed via Canvas: login using your CWL, then click on Assignments and Webworking

Midterm-1 date: October 11
Sample midterm 1
Sample midterm 2
Solutions
Another year's midterm



Lecture notes I
Lecture notes II
Lecture notes III
Lecture notes IV
Lecture notes V

Laplace transform table

Midterm-2 date:
Sample midterm 1
Sample midterm 2
Terse solutions summary (there is a minor hiccup in question 3 of part 1 for the second sample, which is answering a slightly different question - the sign of a has switched)
Another year's midterm
And its solution


Lecture notes VI
Lecture notes VII

Two sample finals, some quick solutions
More finals
Please note that if the solution is not provided, you can always check your answer by substituting it back into the differential equation and any ICs/BCs to verify that it does indeed satisfy the problem