MATH 3413 - Physical Mathematics I, Section 002 - Spring 2012
TR 1:30-2:45 p.m., 321 PHSC

Instructor: Nikola Petrov, 802 PHSC, (405)325-4316, npetrov AT math.ou.edu.

Office Hours: Mon 2:30-3:30 p.m., Tue 2:45-3:45 p.m., or by appointment.

Prerequisites: MATH 2443 (Calculus and Analytic Geometry IV) or concurrent enrollment.

Course catalog description: Complex numbers and functions. Fourier series, solution methods for ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations, Laplace transforms, series solutions, Legendre's equation. Duplicates two hours of 3113. (F)

Check out the OU Math Blog! It is REALLY interesting!

Check out the Problem of the Month !

If you are interested in solving Math problems, check out the web-page of our Putnam problem-solving seminar .

Tentative course content:

Text: C. H. Edwards, D. E. Penney. Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, 4th ed, Prentice Hall, 2007, ISBN-10: 0131561073, ISBN-13: 978-0131561076.

Homework:

Content of the lectures:

Grading: Your grade will be determined by your performance on the following coursework:

Coursework Weight
Homework (lowest grade dropped) 14%
Pop-quizzes (lowest grade dropped) 10%
Exam 1 17%
Exam 2 17%
Exam 3 17%
Final Exam 25%

Homework: It is absolutely essential to solve the assigned homework problems! Homework assignments will be given regularly throughout the semester and will be posted on this web-site. The homework will be due at the start of class on the due date. Each homework will consist of several problems, of which some pseudo-randomly chosen problems will be graded. Your lowest homework grade will be dropped. Your homework should have your name clearly written on it, and should be stapled. No late homeworks will be accepted!

Quizzes:: Short pop-quizzes will be given in class at random times; your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Often the quizzes will use material that has been covered very recently (even in the previous lecture), so you have to make every effort to keep up with the material and to study the corresponding sections from the book right after they have been covered in class.

Exams: There will be three in-class midterms and a comprehensive in-class final exam.
Tentative dates for the midterms are February 16 (Thursday), March 15 (Thursday), and April 19 (Thursday).
The final exam is scheduled for May 11 (Friday), 1:30-3:30 p.m.
All tests must be taken at the scheduled times, except in extraordinary circumstances.
Please do not arrange travel plans that prevent you from taking any of the exams at the scheduled time.

Attendance: You are required to attend class on those days when an examination is being given; attendance during other class periods is also strongly encouraged. You are fully responsible for the material covered in each class, whether or not you attend. Make-ups for missed exams will be given only if there is a compelling reason for the absence, which I know about beforehand and can document independently of your testimony (for example, via a note or phone call from a doctor or a parent). You should come to class on time; if you miss a quiz because you came late, you won't be able to make up for it.

Academic Calendar for Spring 2012.

Course schedule for Spring 2012.

Policy on W/I Grades : Through February 24 (Friday), you can withdraw from the course with an automatic "W". In addition, from February 27 (Monday) to May 4 (Friday), you may withdraw and receive a "W" or "F" according to your standing in the class. Dropping after April 2 (Monday) requires a petition to the Dean. (Such petitions are not often granted. Furthermore, even if the petition is granted, I will give you a grade of "Withdrawn Failing" if you are indeed failing at the time of your petition.) Please check the dates in the Academic Calendar!

The grade of "I" (Incomplete) is not intended to serve as a benign substitute for the grade of "F". I only give the "I" grade if a student has completed the majority of the work in the course (for example everything except the final exam), the coursework cannot be completed because of compelling and verifiable problems beyond the student's control, and the student expresses a clear intention of making up the missed work as soon as possible.

Academic Misconduct: All cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for prosecution under the University's Academic Misconduct Code. The penalties can be quite severe. Don't do it!
For details on the University's policies concerning academic integrity see the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity at the Academic Integrity web-site. For information on your rights to appeal charges of academic misconduct consult the Academic Misconduct Code. Students are also bound by the provisions of the OU Student Code.

Students With Disabilities: The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course are requested to speak with the instructor as early in the semester as possible. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations in this course. The Office of Disability Services is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166: phone 405-325-3852 or TDD only 405-325-4173.

Good to know: