MATH 165

Instructors

Sema Salur: Email: sema.salur@rochester.edu; Office: Hylan Building 1005; Office hours:; Class info: MW 10:25-11:40 AM, Goergen Hall Room 101
Eric Hopper: Email: eric.hopper@rochester.edu; Office: Hylan Building 813; Office hours: Wednesday 1:30-2:30 PM, Thursday 3:30-4:30 PM; Class info: TTh 12:30-1:45 PM, Hutchinson Hall Room 140 (Lander Auditorium)
Sergio Chaves: Email: schavesr@math.rochester.edu; Office: Hylan Building 1001; Office hours: Monday 11:30-12:30 (in person), Thursday 5:00-6:00 PM (on Zoom); Class info: MW 3:25-4:40 PM, Dewey Room 2162
Minsik Han: Email: mhan16@ur.rochester.edu; Office: Hylan Building 908; Office hours: Monday 2:30-4:00 PM; Class info: MW 9:00-10:15 AM, Hutchison Hall Room 140 (Lander Auditorium)

Course Description

This course spends about two thirds of the semester covering basic linear algebra and one third of the semester on differential equations. Applications to physical, engineering, and life sciences. Topics covered include matrix algebra and inverses, Gaussian elimination and solving systems of linear equations, determinants, vector spaces, linear dependence, bases, dimension, eigenvalue problems. First order differential equations including separable equations and linear equations. Linear nth order differential equations with constant coefficients, undetermined coefficients, first order linear homogenous systems of differential equations.

Prerequisites: MTH 162, 143, or 172. This is a strict prerequisite; MTH 162 and 165 cannot be taken concurrently. MTH 164 is not a prerequisite for MTH 165.

This course follows the College credit hour policy for four-credit courses. This course meets 3 academic hours per week. Students may also be expected to deepen their understanding of the course material through close examination/evaluation of the readings assigned in the course.

Textbook

Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (4th edition) by Goode and Annin.

Schedule

A tentative schedule for the course can be found here. If you are in Section 2 (Hopper), be mindful that some topics will be shifted due to the Tuesday/Thursday meeting schedule. Each day lists textbook exercises corresponding to the lecture topic. We recommend attempting these after class but before starting the associated WeBWorK. Solutions will not be collected or graded.

Exams

There will be two midterm exams and a final exam.

Midterm 1: Date & time: Tuesday, October 4 at 8:00 AM; Location: Hubbell (Salur, Hopper, Han) and Lander (Chaves)
Midterm 2: Date & time: Tuesday, November 8 at 8:00 AM; Location: Hubbell (Salur, Hopper, Han) and Lander (Chaves)
Final Exam: Date & time: Sunday, December 18 at 12:30 PM; Location: Hubbell (Salur, Hopper, Han) and Lander (Chaves)

You will NOT be permitted to use calculators, other electronic devices (phones, smart watches, etc.), books, notes, or “cheat sheets” on any exams.

WeBWorK

Weekly WeBWorK assignments will typically be due Monday at 4:00 AM ET although some deadlines may be adjusted. Please check WeBWorK for specific deadlines. To access WeBWorK, go to the MATH 165 Blackboard site and click on the “Course Home Page and WeBWorK Link.” WeBWorK set 1 is due on September 12.

Online help

All WeBWorK problems have a button to Email WeBWorK TA. Clicking this button allows you to write a message that is emailed to the instructors and a WeBWorK TA. The WeBWorK TA will get back to you within a day or so. You do not have to copy out the problem as the system automatically does this. If WeBWorK won’t accept your answer, then say what that answer is and how you came up with it. It helps if you give some idea of your thought process. Be aware that email sent after 8:00 PM will almost certainly not receive a reply before the set closes. Note that this should be used for WeBWorK feedback only–if you want to contact your instructor, you should email them directly.

Math Dept policy on unauthorized online resources

Any usage whatsoever of online solution sets or paid online resources (chegg.com or similar) is considered an academic honesty violation and will be reported to the Board on Academic Honesty. In particular, any assignment found to contain content which originated from such sources is subject to a minimum penalty of zero on the assignment and a full letter grade reduction at the end of the semester (e.g. a B would be reduced to a C). Depending on the circumstances, this may apply even if the unauthorized content was obtained through indirect means (through a friend for instance) and/or the student is seemingly unaware that the content originated from such sources. If you have any questions about whether resources are acceptable, please check with your instructor.

Grading

WeBWorK	Midterm 1	Midterm 2	Final Part A	Final Part B
25%	20%	20%	15%	20%

The final exam will be divided into two parts. Part A will be cummulative. If the score on Part A exceeds that of a midterm, it will replace the grade on the lower of the two midterms. Part B will only contain material not covered by either midterm.

Weekly WeBWorK assignments will be worth 25% of your grade. No sets will be dropped–grades will be based on the total number of WebWork questions completed.

Study Hall

Study hall is held in Gavett 301 on Thursdays 3:30-6:30. The first meeting will take place on September 8.

This MATH 165 study hall is exclusively for MATH 165 students and staffed by highly knowledgable MATH 165 TAs. You are strongly encouraged to attend. If you have any questions related to MATH 165 (including homework), this is a great resource for help. Feel free to come by anytime during the hours listed; no appointment necessary.

There is also a general Math Study Hall avilable to all undergradues held Monday through Thursday evenings. This is managed by math graduate students, who assist students in all undergraduate math courses including MATH 165. The schedule is available here.

Disability Support

If you have an academic need related to a disability, arrangements can be made to accomodate most needs. For information, please contact the Office of Disability Resources. To be granted alternate testing accommodations, you (the student) must fill out forms with this office at least seven days before each and every exam. These forms are not sent automatically. Instructors are not responsible for requesting alternative testing accommodations for you, and they are not obligated to make any accommodations without prior approval from the office of disability services.

Academic Integrity Statement

All assignments and activities associated with this course must be performed in accordance with the University of Rochester’s Academic Honesty Policy. Any violation of academic integrity will be pursued according to the specified procedures.

In this course, on homework, you may collaborate with other students also taking the course. You may also use resources such as study group discussions, study halls, office hours, and any online learning materials aside from direct solution sets. You may also talk to students outside the class or tutors as long as they provide only general guidance and you write up the solution on your own at the end. In all cases, you must always internalize the work . This means that after finishing the homework, you should be able to reproduce the solution of problems without any help from anyone or the use of outside resources besides the textbook and a basic calculator. Remember, homework is only 25 percent of the grade and is meant to help you to learn the material so you can be prepared for the exams and your future work.