Kitto -Fall, 2013

Math 230 Syllabus

COURSE:

Math 230 - Introduction to Differential Equations (4 units) Click to view COR's.
Mon/Wed 12:30 – 2:35 pm, Room ME 109

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Rebecca Kitto

Office:

Room HS 108

Phone:

722-6300, ext.6423

e-mail:

rkitto@avc.edu

Office hours:

Mon/Wed  2:45 – 3:45 pm

Tues/Thur 12:00 – 1:30 pm

And by appointment.

Web Page:

http://avconline.avc.edu/rkitto

TEXTBOOK:

A First Course in Differential Equations with Modeling Applications, 10th edition, by Dennis Zill;  Brooks/Cole publisher (Cengage Learning).

PREREQUISITES:

In order to be successful in your differential equations course you must have taken two semesters of Calculus (Math 150 & 160). It is advisable, but not necessary, to have studied Linear Algebra (Math 220) and/or a third semester of calculus (Math 250) before attempting Math 230.

GRADES AND
TESTING:

Your course grade will be determined by:

  1. Chapter tests (100 points each)
  2. A series of ten minute “quizzes” (100 points total)
  3. Daily homework (50 points total)
  4. Final Exam (100 points)

The cutoff percentages for A, B, C, and D are normally 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%. The cutoff lines may be adjusted downward, depending on class performance.
Click here to view the schedule of tests and lecture topics.

QUIZZES:

You will have a ten minute quiz or a collaborative exercise at almost every class meeting. Quiz problems will be taken from the homework exercises. All “quizzes” will be averaged to provide another 100 points. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.

HOMEWORK:

Homework is assigned daily and will be collected at every class meeting, checked, and returned to you. The homework record will earn a maximum of 50 points (about 10% of your grade).
Click here for the homework schedule.

MAKE-UPS:

No make-up tests will be given. If you know in advance that you must miss a test, you may take it early. Your lowest chapter test score will be dropped.  A zero for a missed exam will then be discarded as the lowest score.

MATH LAB:

You may get help on a drop-in basis from an instructor or a student aid in the Math Lab (located in the Learning Center), during the lab hours as posted; however, you will have difficulty finding a student assistant with knowledge of differential equations.  Your best bet for outside help is to take advantage of your instructor’s office hours.  Another excellent study strategy is to form a study group with your own classmates.
I have five formal office hours per week, as listed above, and I am available at other times by appointment. Students report also getting quality help at various websites.

SLOs

SLO stands for Student Learning Outcomes.  SLOs are broad, measurable goals of student learning that are overarching outcomes for a course or program.  SLOs will be used by faculty and college staff to analyze student learning needs, to enhance student services, to evaluate course and program effectiveness, and to influence decisions regarding college planning and operations.  The SLOs for Math 230 can be viewed at:

http://www.avc.edu/administration/organizations/slo/msslos.html#mathematics

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

If you have a legally protected disability under the Americas with Disabilities Act (ADA) or California discrimination law, and you believe you need reasonable accommodation to participate fully in this class, please make an appointment to see me during my private office hours to discuss your need.

 

ACADEMIC VIOLATIONS:

(a)Violation of the Academic Honesty Policy:  Dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating or plagiarism.  Plagiarism – from the Latin word for “kidnap” – involves using another’s work without giving proper credit, whether done accidentally or on purpose.  This includes not only words and ideas but also graphs, artwork, music, maps, statistics, diagrams, scientific data, software, films, videos and the like.  Plagiarism is plagiarism whether the material is from published or unpublished sources.  It does not matter whether ideas are stolen, bought, downloaded from the Internet or written for the student by someone else – it is still plagiarism.  Even if only bits and pieces of other sources are used, or outside sources reworded, they must still be cited.  To avoid problems, students should cite any source(s) and check with the instructor before submitting an assignment or project.  Students are always responsible for any plagiarism in their work.

(b)An instructor who determines that a student has cheated or plagiarized has the right to give an “F” grade for the assignment or examination.  Students with repeated offenses will be placed on probation and possibly expelled.  Just be honest.