Intro to Partial Differential Equations (MATH 428, Spring 2008)

Day & Time: Tuesday and Thursday 10:10am--11:25am Location: 203 Malott Instructor: Xiaodong Cao Office Hours: Tuesday 2:45-3:45pm, Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 in 507 Malott Teaching assistants : Liang Chen, OH: Monday 4:30-6:30pm, 657 Rhodes Hall. Textbook:E.C. Zachmanoglou & Dale W. Thoe, Introduction to Parital Differential Equations with Applications. ISBN 0486652513. It is available at the University bookstore. Prerequisites: Calculus, Linear Algebra or the equivalent. Examinations: There will be one in class test. The first will probably be on Tuesday, March 11. The final exam is scheduled on Thursday, May

Policies & Procedures

Goals: We will cover a subset of Chapters 1-9 in the Introduction to Partial Differential Equations with Applications, by Zachmanoglou & Thoe. The first part of the course will be devoted to (linear & quasi-linear) first-order equations, including a limited discussion of shocks and rarefaction fans arising in hyperbolic conservation laws. We will then proceed to a more detailed treatment of three fundamental second-order linear PDEs (Laplace's, heat, and wave equations).

Assessment: The course grades will be computed as follows:

40% Homework

20% First test

40% Final exam

Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments, which will be normally posted on the web every Thursday and collected in class the following Thursday. Solutions will also be posted on the web (make sure to read them & compare with your own!).

• Working in groups: Mathematics is best learned and practiced through a combination of individual and collaborative work. We encourage you to work with your classmates BUT you should think about each problem on your own before discussing it with others. Also, you are required to write up solutions independently AND list all of the sources (textbooks, research papers, internet, collaboration with others, etc) used in obtaining the solutions. No need to do this on a per problem basis - just supply a list of collaborations and sources at the end of each assignment.
• Writing up problems: Needless to say, we expect your solutions to be coherent, logical and detailed. If the missing details are mathematically unobvious, we will assume that you did not know how to fill in the gap. The TA reserves the right to not look at a problem which he finds to be excessively sloppy or difficult to follow. Also, BE SURE TO STAPLE!
• Grading: Homework is important. Besides its didactic, intellectual and entertainment value, it will also weight 40% in your overall grade in this class. If you have any homework related concerns or questions, please come to the instructor's or TA's office hours.
• Late policy: Late homework will not be accepted under ANY circumstances. Naturally, you are welcome to hand in your homework early.

Schedule of Lectures