Abstract

The main purpose of this talk is to disseminate information regarding the integration of technology into Math 2310, Applied Differential Equations I, that has taken place at the University of Wyoming over the past four years. The chosen Computer Algebra System (CAS) is Maple. Other options are available which could be used instead requiring adaptation of the Maple based materials that have been developed.

Full integration of the CAS is paramount to successful introduction of technology into Math 2310. Students must be convinced of the effectiveness of the package early and asked to use it continually. Breaking from the traditional structure of the course, one of the three weekly lectures was replaced by a two-hour lab/problem session which I feel, through hands-on use of the technology as well as valuable student/teacher interaction, greatly enhanced the students' understanding of course material. Consideration should be given to the adoption of this method.
 

Resources

   Current text - Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems
                       Boyce & DiPrima, Seventh Edition (http://www.wiley.com).

   CAS - Maple, (http://www.maplesoft.com).

   Lab Packages - Several options which have evolved over the course of this implementation are available.
                           Copies and relevant information can be found at:

                                    http://www.uwyo.edu/spitler
                                    http://www.uwyo.edu/chen/labs.html

   Integrated Weekly Homework - Specific problems from the text have be enhanced to include the
        use of technology.  A list of these problems packaged into weekly assignments can be found at:

                                      weekly problem sets

   Student Projects - A couple of larger projects are avaliable which require significant student insight as well
        as thorough written compilation of results.

                                    http://www.uwyo.edu/chen/labs.html

Lab Reference:

   First Order Equations (Chapters 1 & 2) ------------  Lab1-Lab4
   Second Order Linear with Constant Coef. (Chapter 3)  -- Lab5-Lab8
   Nth Order Linear with Constant Coef (Chapter 4) ------ Lab9-Lab10
   Laplace Transforms (Chapter 6) ------------------ Lab11-Lab12
 
 
 

lab1.mws	lab1.ps
lab2.mws	lab2.ps
lab3.mws	lab3.ps
lab4.ltx	lab4.ps
lab5.mws	lab5.ps
lab6.ltx	lab6.ps
lab7.ltx	lab7.ps
lab8.mws	lab8.ps
lab8a.ltx	lab8a.ps
lab9.mws	lab9.ps
lab10.mws	lab10.ps
lab11.mws	lab11.ps
lab12.mws	lab12.ps

The Latex-formatted labs also require encapsulated postscript figures which must be placed in a file called
<figs.f> in the directory where the latex file resides.  Here is a tar file of the <fig.f> directory - figures.tar
 

Please direct any questions to spitler@uwyo.edu