Course Information:

Lectures:  TuTh 8:00-9:15am
Classroom:  Phillips 228

Instructor:  Jason Metcalfe
E-mail:  metcalfe@email.unc.edu
Office:  Phillips 324K
Office Hours:  Tuesdays 9:15-10:15am, Wednesdays 10:00-11:00am, and by appointment.

Textbook:  H. Edwards and D. Penney, Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems: Computing and Modeling, 4th edition (Pearson/Prentice Hall)

Course Webpage:  http://www.unc.edu/~metcalfe/teaching/math524f08/

Course Catalog Description:  Math 524
Prerequisite:  Math 383

Grading:  The breakdown for the final grade is as follows:

• Homework Assignments:  15% total.  There will be an assignment corresponding to every lecture which will be collected one week later.
  
• Midterm Exams:  25% each.  There will be two in-class midterm exams:  Thursday, September 25 and Thursday, November 6.
  
• Final Exam: 35% total.  The final exam is on Saturday, December 6, 8:00-11:00am

The dates for the midterm exams are subject to change if the instructor determines during the course of the semester that alternate dates would better meet the needs of the class.

Cheating on any graded assignment or exam will be prosecuted to the fullest extent in accordance with university policy.  Please see the course webpage for more information.

Makeup exams will only be given for excused absenses with appropriate documentation (e.g. a doctor's note).  Except for the case of emergencies, the instructor must be contacted prior to the exam via e-mail or by calling my office (2-4324).  In the case of emergencies, you should contact me as soon as it is possible.

Late homework assignments will not be accepted in any circumstance, and no makeup assignments will be given.  If assignments are missed due to an extended, documented, excused absense, then the final homework grade will be computed based only on your other assignments.

All assignments should be submitted to the instructor.  If you are unable to attend class, please bring the assignment to my office prior to the deadline.  If I am not in my office, please slide the assignment under the door.  Assignments should not be placed in my mailbox.

The homework assignments will NOT be sufficient to learn this material well.  The assignments are what can reasonably be collected and graded.  You should be doing many more problems.  The text contains many additional exercises and was chosen in part due to these exercises.  If you need additional exercises, please consult the instructor.  Overall, I expect students to take into account that this is an advanced course.  It will require much work, and the energy/desire to think things over independently so as to fully understand the course material. You should expect to spend a lot of time on the homework and on figuring out how to solve types of exercises that have not been discussed in class.  Students are particularly encouraged to come to office hours for assistance.

Grading concerns:  We will gladly regrade any problem.  Please bring such concerns to my attention within a week of its return to the class.

At the end of the semester, you will, as usual, be given the opportunity to fill out course evaluations.  Suggestions withheld until this point, however, cannot be implemented to improve the current course.  Instead of waiting, you should feel free to give me feedback throughout the semester!  If anonymity is desired, simply type your suggestion and slide it under my door or place it in my mailbox.  Constructive suggestions are welcome at all times!