MATH 4/5733 Partial Differential Equations (Fall 2009)

Mon. and Wed. 2:30-3:45pm; CU 656

Lynn S. Bennethum

Office: CU 638, Phone  (303) 556-4810

Office hours: Mon. and Wed. 1:15-2:30 in CU 638, or by appointment.

e-mail: lynn.bennethum@ ucdenver.edu

home page: http://www-math.cudenver.edu/~bennethm

fax: (303)556-8550  Be sure to put my name on the cover sheet.

home phone: (303) 683-6983 (Please call after 9am and before 9:30pm - I work at home about half of the Fridays).

This course is a slash-listed course - taught as a senior undergraduate course and a first-year graduate course and is a first course in partial differential equations (PDEs).   Topics will include some association between the physics and the equations, some theory as to the existence, uniqueness, and behavior of solutions, and solution techniques.  Undergraduates will be expected to understand primarily how to solve equations, and in addition, graduate students will be expected to understand more of the theory behind PDEs.

Textbooks: Introduction to Partial Differenctial Equations with Applications by E. C. Zachmanoglou and D. W. Thoe, 1986, Dover:  This book is a good book from the mathematical point of view - it is a good overview of the overall mathematical framework, i.e. looking at a pde, what can one say about the solution?  Does it exist?  Is it unique?  What properties does the solution have?  However it is not strong on linking the equations with physics.  Partial Differential Equations of Mathematical Physics and Integral Equations by R. B. Guenther and J. W. Lee, 1988, Dover:   This book motivates by physical problems, but consequently it is more difficult to see the mathematical coherence.

 Prerequisite: Ordinary Differential Equations (MATH 3200).  For students taking the course at the graduate level:  Advanced Calculus (MATH 4320) or Graduate standing is also recommended.   Generally what students have the most difficulty with is recalling material from third semester calculus (MATH 2421).   Some review is presented in the course.

Grading:  Homework, midterms, and the final will be weighted as follows:

Homework                        100 pts

2 Midterms (100 pts each) 200 pts

Final Exam                        150 pts

The weight of your lowest grade will be dropped by 50 pts (i.e. if your worst score is a midterm score, it will be worth half of the other midterm).   Thus the total number of points for the semester will be 400pts.

Homework: Homework is due every Wed. at the beginning of class. Late homework will be accepted but with a penalty of 1/3 the homework points for each class period late.

Midterms: Midterms will be in-class exams over the material covered in class.

Topics:   As time allows, we will cover Chapters 1 and 2 from Guenther and Lee, and Chapters 1 through 9 from Zachmanoglou and Thoe.  Other material from Guenther and Lee may be used as supplemental material.

H1N1 virus:   To minimize transmission of the virus, the university is encouraging all students who become sick with the flu to stay away from campus until they are symptom-free.  Standard flu symptoms include fever (100 degrees or higher), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, diarrhea and vomiting have been associated with H1N1 flu.  If you should get these symptoms please contact me as soon as possible (e-mail or phone) so that I know you are ill.  All assignments will be posted on my webpage, so you will know what you are missing.  When you return, we will set up a timeline for you to make up missed assignments.

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Important Dates:

Aug. 23: Last day to be added to the wait-list for a closed course using the SMART system.

Aug. 24:  LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT DROP CHARGE – THIS INCLUDES SECTION CHANGES.
August 24: Wait Lists are dropped. Any student who was not added to a course automatically from the wait list by this date and time MUST complete a schedule adjustment form to be added to the class. Students are NOT automatically added to the class from the wait list after this date and time. If your name is not on the official student roster, you are not registered for the course.
August 25-September 2: Students are responsible for verifying an accurate fall 2009 course schedule via the SMART registration system. Students are NOT notified of their wait-list status by the university. All students must check their schedules prior to September 2, 2009 for accuracy.
August 25: First day instructor may approve request to add a student to a full course with a Schedule Adjustment Form.
September 2, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day to add structured courses without a written petition for a late add. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such. This deadline does not apply to independent study, internships, project hours, thesis hours, dissertation hours, and late-starting modular courses.
September 2, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day to drop a fall 2009 course or completely with draw from all fall 2009 courses with a tuition adjustment minus the drop charge and no transcript notation – this includes section changes. Drops after this date will appear on your transcript. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such.
September 2, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day to request pass/fail or no credit option for a course.
September 2, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day for a graduate student to register for a Candidate for Degree.
September 2, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day for a Ph.D. student to petition for a reduction in hours.
September 2, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day to apply for fall 2009 graduation. You must make an appointment and see your academic advisor before this date to apply for graduation if you are an undergraduate; you must complete the intent to graduate and candidate for degree form if you are a graduate student.
September 7: Labor Day (campus closed/ no classes)
October 26, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day for non CLAS students to drop or withdraw from all classes without a petition and special approval from the student’s academic Dean.  This is treated as an absolute deadline.
November 9, 2009 at 5 PM: Last day for CLAS students to drop or withdraw from all classes with signatures from the faculty and Dean. This is treated as an absolute deadline.
After November 9: all schedule changes require a full petition. Petitions are available in NC 4011.

November 23-November 27:  Fall break.  No classes.

November 26: Thanksgiving Day Holiday (campus closed)

December 5-11:  Final exams week

No schedule changes will be granted once finals week has started. There are NO exceptions to this policy.

Incomplete grades (IW or IF): Incomplete grades are not granted for low academic performance. To be eligible for an Incomplete grade, students must (1) successfully complete 75 percent of the course, (2) have special circumstances (verification may be required) that preclude the student from attending class and completing graded assignments, and (3) make arrangements to complete missing assignments with the original instructor. A CLAS Course Completion Agreement (available from the Department of Mathematics or CLAS Advising office, NC 2024) is strongly suggested.

Fall 2009 CLAS Academic Policies

The following policies pertain to all students and are strictly adhered to by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).

• Every student MUST check and verify their schedule prior to the published drop/add deadlines. Failure to verify a schedule is not sufficient reason to justify a late add or drop later in the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that their schedule is correct prior to the appropriate deadlines.
  

• CLAS students must use their email.ucdenver.edu email address. Email is the official method of communication for all University of Colorado Denver business. All email correspondence will take place using your UCDHSC email address. Go to http://www.ucdenver.edu/studentservices/resources/registrar/students/policies/Pages/EmailPolicy.aspx to activate your email address.

• Students are NOT automatically added to a course off a wait list after wait lists are dropped. If a student is told by a faculty member that they will be added off the wait list, it is the responsibility of the student to complete the proper paperwork to add a course.

• Students are not automatically notified if they are added to a class from a wait-list.  Again, it is the responsibility of the student to verify their schedule prior to any official dates to drop or add courses.

• Students must complete and submit a drop/add form to make any schedule changes.  Students are not automatically dropped from a class if they never attended, stopped attending or do not make tuition payments.

• Late adds will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the late add are beyond the student’s control and can be documented independently.  This will require a petition and documentation from the student. Please note that the signature of a faculty member on an add form does not guarantee that a late add petition will be approved. Petitions are available in NC 4011.

• Late drops will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the late drop have arisen after the published drop deadlines, are beyond the student’s control, and can be documented independently. This will require a petition an  documentation from the student. Pre-existing circumstances (circumstances that existed prior to the published drop deadlines) regarding illness, work, family, or other confounding issues will not be considered adequate reason to drop or withdraw from courses after the published University and/or College drop deadlines. Please note that the signature of a faculty member does not guarantee that a late drop petition will be approved. Petitions are available in NC 4011.

• Undergraduate students wishing to graduate in fall of 2009 must meet with their academic advisor by census date to obtain a graduation application. This application must be completed and submitted by 5 PM on September 2, 2009. You can obtain an application ONLY after meeting with your academi  advisor. There are no exceptions to this policy or date.

• Graduate students wishing to graduate in fall semester 2009 must complete their Intent to Graduate form and have a Request for Admissions to Candidacy on file with the CLAS Dean’s office no later than 5 PM, September 2, 2009.

• Students are responsible for completing financial arrangements with financial aid, family, scholarships, etc. to pay their tuition. Students will be responsible for all tuition and fees for courses they do not officially drop using proper drop/add procedures and forms.  Students who drop after the published drop/add period will not be eligible for a refund of the COF hours or tuition.

•  CLAS students must always have an accurate mailing and e-mail address: http://www.cudenver.edu/registrar

• Students are responsible for completing financial arrangements with financial aid, family, scholarships, etc.