Assignments

Purpose:

Our goal is that you achieve and demonstrate mastery of modeling real-world problems using differential equations, solving them using a range of mathematical methods, and connecting model outcomes and applications. Except for the midterm, you can collaborate on assignments.

Rubrics:

We will provide rubrics for the assignments. Generally, grading will focus on understanding and not on algebra and non-essential mistakes. We would like to see explanations that justify your answers (instead of only lines of formulas), full sentences that summarize your answers (instead of just a formula), and discussions of the assumptions you made when you design a model.

Schedule:

  • Homework assignments are due Fridays at 3pm

  • Reflections are due Fridays at 3pm

  • Capstone problem sets are due Friday 10/1 and Friday 12/3 at 3pm

  • Midterm is scheduled for Friday 10/29

  • Final group project reports are due Monday 12/20 at noon

Regular homework assignments:

  • Assignments will be posted on Friday mornings and are due the following Friday through Gradescope. We will grade at 3pm on Fridays, and your scores should be available by Friday evening.

Reflections/check-ins:

  • Reflections prompts will also be posted on Friday mornings and are due the following Friday through Canvas. They are graded for completion.

  • The reflections give you an opportunity to reflect on your learning and to communicate to me if concepts or techniques were not explained clearly. I (Bjorn) will read all of your responses but may not respond to most of them given that the class is so large.

Capstone problem sets:

  • Capstone problem sets are more comprehensive and broader in scope compared to normal homework problems. They will be released a week in advance (and they replace the regular homework assignment during that week).

Midterm exam:

  • The midterm exam will be in class. I will provide alternative arrangements for those students who take this course remotely or are travelling.

Final group projects:

  • The final group projects will involve 2-5 students in each group. I will help you find groups based on your project preferences and strengths, and you are also free to form your own groups.

  • The goal of these projects is to learn more about a specific application or topics that we did not cover in class. The end product will be a 10-15 page written single-spaced report that is accessible to anyone in the class.

  • Topics: I will provide a list of topics, but you can also choose your own. For instance, you could pick a chapter in the textbook that we did not cover and expand on the textbook presentation by adding more details, examples, and explanations. Or you can identify an application that involves ODEs and report on this application and how ODEs have been used to help gain insights into it.

  • I plan to list topics and help you form groups by early November.