MA734 - Partial Differential Equations

Instructor

Dr. Alina Chertock
Office Location: SAS 3212
Phone: (919) 515-3200
Fax: (919) 513-07336
Email: chertock@math.ncsu.edu
Web Page: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~acherto
Office Hours: T 12:00PM - 1:00PM and H 3:00PM - 4:00PM (or by appointment)

Course Meetings

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Campus: Main
Location: SAS 1220

Course Description

• First-order equations.
  
• Linear second order parabolic, elliptic and hyperbolic equations.
  
• Initial value problems and boundary value problems.
  
• Iterative and variational methods.
  
• Existence, uniqueness and regularity.
  
• Nonlinear equations and systems.

Requisites and Restrictions

Prerequisites: MA 534

Co-requisites: MA 515

Textbook

An Introduction to Partial Differential Equations by Robert C. McOwen, Pearson Education, Inc.
This textbook is required.

• I expect you to read sections of the textbook around the time of lectures and attempt homework from those sections. The textbook has additional examples and discussion that you will find helpful. Some test questions may resemble examples from the textbook.

Homework

Homework Assignments

• Homework will be assigned and collected regularly, and will be posted (with deadlines) under "Homework Assignments" on the course website. The homework should be handed in at the beginning of class on the due date. If you cannot make it to class, please make sure to get me the homework on time.
• Selected problems will be graded in detail. No late homework will be accepted and/or graded.
  
• You are encouraged to discuss homework with other students, but you must write up the solution in your own words based on your own understanding. Any marked similarity in form or notation between submissions with different authors will be regarded as evidence of academic dishonesty so protect your work.
• You are encouraged to prepare homework solutions in LaTeX. While preparing your homework solution:
  • Make sure all solutions are turned in in order, pages are stapled, with sufficient margins so I can write comments.
  • Write out the statement of each problem before writing the solution.
  • Write problem solutions in paragraph format, not just as a sequence of equations.

• LaTeX Resources:

  • Essential LateX
  • Essential Mathematical LateX
  • LateX 2e introduction
  • LATEX Software and Documentation
  • Easy to install LateX for Windows
  • Easy to install LateX for Macs

Tests and Exams

There will be two in-class tests (scheduled depending on class progress) and a comprehensive final exam.

• Tentative dates of tests: February 21, April 18.
• Final exam: May 7, 2013, 1:00PM-4:00PM.
• Missed tests/exams:
• There will be NO makeup tests/exams. If you have any conflicts with the assigned dates of the tests please contact me by email up to one week before the exam
• If you miss a test without a valid excuse, a zero will be averaged into your grade.
• If you are forced to miss a test, an excuse from a doctor or other appropriate authorities must be presented.
• If the excuse is accepted, your other course work will be adjusted so that you will not be penalized.

Grading

Homework - 50%, class tests - 20%, final exam - 30%.

This Course uses the Following (Non-Standard) Letter Grading Scale: 86≤A≤100, 71≤B≤85, 61≤C≤70, 55≤D≤60, F≤55 (+ and - will also be used).

• I do not curve grades. It is theoretically possible for everyone in the class to get an A (or an F). Your performance depends only on how you do, not on how everyone else in the class does. It is therefore in your best interests to help your classmates, while keeping the academic integrity policy in mind.
• All questions about grading should be asked (via a written statement) within a week after a graded assignment/test is returned. Do not alter the original work!

Requirements for Auditors (AU): Information about and requirements for auditing a course can be found at http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/handbook/sections/3.16-course-registration.html#H.

Policies on Incomplete Grades: If an extended deadline is not authorized by the Graduate School, an unfinished incomplete grade will automatically change to an F after either (a) the end of the next regular semester in which the student is enrolled (not including summer sessions), or (b) by the end of 12 months if the student is not enrolled, whichever is shorter. Incompletes that change to F will count as an attempted course on transcripts. The burden of fulfilling an incomplete grade is the responsibility of the student. The university policy on incomplete grades is located at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-03. Additional information relative to incomplete grades for graduate students can be found in the Graduate Administrative Handbook in Section 3.18.F at http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/handbook/table-of-contents.html

Attendance Policy

Attendance: Students are expected to arrive on time, to contribute to group work and class discussions, and to stay until the class ends. Attendance at all meetings of the class is expected.

Absences: NCSU policy, including what constitutes an 'Excused Absence,' is at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-03

Notifications

• Please check the course webpage regularly, as it will be continuously updated with announcements, any changes in the schedule, homework problems, solutions, review sheets, and other additional course materials.
• Students will also be notified in class or via email of announcements associated with this course. The email address registered with the NCSU online directory will be used for this purpose. It is the student's responsibility to maintain a valid email address and check the email sent to it.

End-of-semester class evaluation

• Schedule: Online class evaluations will be available for students to complete during the last week of class (8:00AM November 22 through 8:00AM December 8)
• Students will receive an email message directing them to a website where they can login using their Unity ID and complete evaluations.
• All evaluations are confidential; instructors will never know how any one student responded to any question, and students will never know the ratings for any particular instructors.
• Evaluation website: https://classeval.ncsu.edu
• Student help desk: classeval@ncsu.edu
• More information about ClassEval: http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/classeval/

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity: Students are required to comply with the university policy on academic integrity found in the Code of Student Conduct at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01

Academic Honesty: See http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01 for a detailed explanation of academic honesty.

Honor Pledge: Your signature on any test or assignment indicates "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment."

Accommodations for Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, student must register with the Disability Services Office (http://www.ncsu.edu/dso) located at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-01

Non-Discrimination Policy

NC State University provides equality of opportunity in education and employment for all students and employees. Accordingly, NC State affirms its commitment to maintain a work environment for all employees and an academic environment for all students that is free from all forms of discrimination. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation is a violation of state and federal law and/or NC State University policy and will not be tolerated. Harassment of any person (either in the form of quid pro quo or creation of a hostile environment) based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation also is a violation of state and federal law and/or NC State University policy and will not be tolerated. Retaliation against any person who complains about discrimination is also prohibited. NC State's policies and regulations covering discrimination, harassment, and retaliation may be accessed at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05 or http://www.ncsu.edu/equal_op. Any person who feels that he or she has been the subject of prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 919-515-3148.