An integral part of the new course will be its laboratory component: Youwill participate in in-class computer experiments and will regularly write outside-of-class laboratory reports!

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• Instructor.Dr. M.A. Khamsi, Bell Hall 225, tel. 747-6763,
  e-mail: mohamed@math.utep.edu,
  

• Office Hours.MWF 10:30-11:20, or by appointment. Dr. Knaust (Bell Hall225) will also be available for assistance during his office hours (TTh 10:30-12:00).

• Other Help.
  • Visit our department's S.O.S. Mathematics web site at the URL: http://www.math.utep.edu/sosmath
  • The Tutoring and Learning Center, located on the third floor ofthe UTEP Library, tel. 747-5366, offers free tutoring.
    

• Textbook.Blanchard, Devaney and Hall, Differential Equations. Preliminary Edition. PWS, Boston.The textbook is required at all class meetings, and is intended to beread in full.

• Prerequisites.The instructor will assume that you have a thorough knowledge of thematerial covered in the first two Calculus courses. In particular you will have to be familiar with techniques of integration and the method of partialfractions.

• Contents.The course will cover the following material:
  • Chapter 1.1-1.8 (4 weeks)
  • Chapter 2.1-2.6 (3 weeks)
  • Chapter 3.1-3.6 and Chapter 4.1 (5 weeks)
  • Chapter 8.1-8.4 (2.5 weeks)
  Parts of the remaining chapters will be covered as time permits.

• Graphing Calculators.You may use a calculator in class and on exams. Some programs for the TI-85will be made available in class.

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• Tests.Three tests will be given around the following dates:
  • Monday, February 10
  • Monday, March 10
  • Monday, April 21
  Each test counts 15% of your grade.Make-up tests will only be given under extraordinary circumstances, and only if you notify the instructor prior to the exam date.

• Laboratory Work.There will be regular laboratory team assignments. The written labreports will be graded; each team member receives the same score. Your worst score will be dropped, the other lab report scorescount a total of 10% of your grade.

• Homework.The instructor will regularly assign homework. Although the homework will not be collected or graded, it is essential for your success in this class that you diligently work all the homework problems. Homework will include reading assignments.

• Quizzes.There will also be some unannounced quizzes. Quiz problems will be identical to prior homework assignments and/or designed to check on your understanding of the assigned reading material. Your worst two quizzes will be dropped, the others will make up yourquiz score, which accounts for 15% of your grade.

• Final.The final on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:00-12:45 is mandatory and comprehensive. It counts 30% of your grade.

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• Fair Warning.The course's approach todifferential equations is intended to be different. If you have had a differential equations course already you will probably find much that is unfamiliar and a verydifferent emphasis on things you may think you know already. Be alertto this and remember that previous experience is unlikely to beenough to coast on. Treat each topic as if you were meeting it forthe first time, and be alert to make sure you understand each day'smaterial before the next class meeting.

• Time Requirement.It is expected that you spend an absolute minimum of six hours a week outside of class on solving homework problems, working on the lab assignments, reading the textbook and reviewing your class notes.

• Drop Policy.The class schedule lists Friday, February 21as the last day to drop with an automatic "W", while faculty-initiated coursedrops are possible until Friday, April 18. The instructor usually assigns a "W" for students dropping the course prior to this deadline. After the deadline, the course cannot be dropped.