Welcome to Math 850, Fall 2018

Instructor Geng Chen

    Office: 623 Snow Hall

    Email: gengchen at ku dot edu

    Class webpage: http://people.ku.edu/~g828c364/math850.html

    Class meet: Monday, Wednesday 12:30-1:45 pm, Snow 564

    Office Hours: Monday 2-3 & Tuesday 11-12. Other hours are by appointment.

    Textbook: Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems, Lawrence Perko, Third Edition.

Description of the course:

The purpose of this course is to give a rigorous mathematical development of many classical topics in the study of ordinary differential equations and, more generally, dynamical systems. Throughout, we take a geometric point of view seeking qualitative information on solutions of nonlinear dynamical systems even when explicit solution formulas do not exist. The theories and applications encountered in this course will create a strong foundation for studying nonlinear systems (ODE and PDE) and nonlinear science in general.

The plan is to cover chapters 1, 2, 3 and chapter 4 if time is permitted.

Homework

We plan to have 6 homework assignments. Most Homeworks are picked up from the book. The homework will be posted on the class webpage

Homework 1, Due on Sep 10, Sec 1.1, 1(a)(c); Sec 1.2, 1(a)(b)(c), 3(a)(c); Sec 1.3, 1(c), 2, 6(c); Sec 1.4, 5(a)(b)(c); Sec 1.5; 1(a)(b)(c), 2(a).
Homework 2, Due on Oct 3, Sec 1.9, 1(f), 2(b), 3; Sec 2.1, 1(a); Sec 2.2, 3, 5.
Homework 3, Due on Oct 24, Sec 2.6, 1(a)(c)(d); Sec 2.7, 1, 3; Sec 2.9, 2, 3, 4.
Homework 4, Due on Nov 7, Sec 2.10, 1; Sec 2.11, 2(a)(c), 3(a)(b); Sec 2.12, 1, 2, 4.
Homework 5, Due on Nov 19, Sec 2.14, 2, 3, 5(a), 7;
Homework 6, Due on Nov 28, Sec 3.2, 4(b)(c); Sec 3.3, 4.

Exams

There is one final assignment: available on Nov 28, and due on Dec 5.

Grade computation


Homework: 60%
Final assignment: 30%
Attendance and performance in class: 10%

Your Responsibilities

Although I do want you to work together and help each other out, everything you turn in must be your own work! If in doubt, ask! Cheating of any type will not be tolerated and will be harshly dealt with. Please let me know in advance of any circumstances which may prevent you from attending classes.