Math 2074 - Dynamical Systems
MWF 11:15am - 12:10pm   //  620 Swift Hall
Professor Michael Goldberg



Office Hours: Mondays 12:30-2:30pm and Thursdays 11:30am-12:30pm
      Additional office hours can be scheduled by appointment.


Email: Michael (dot) Goldberg (at) uc.edu
Office Phone: (513) 556-4070

Prerequisites:  Satisfactory grades in the first year of Calculus, or the equivalent Advanced Placement credit.

Textbook: Introduction to Differential Equations (with Dynamical Systems)
by S. Campbell and R. Haberman. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691124742

The (frequently updated) schedule of readings, homework assignments, and exams is posted here.

You can download a printable syllabus for the course here.

Tests: There are three exams during the term. Calculators are not permitted on tests.

   1st Test: Wednesday, January 28.
   2nd Test: Wednesday, February 25. Friday, February 27.
   2rd Test: Wednesday, April 1.

Final Exam:  Monday, April 27. 9:45-11:45am.

Homework and Quizzes: There wil be six graded homework assignments and four in-class quizzes. Make-ups will not be given for missed quizzes. The lowest of the ten homework/quiz scores will be dropped at the end of the term.

You are permitted, perhaps encouraged, to discuss homework problems with other students. It is OK to give each other hints and work through problems together. It is not OK to just share answers.

Grading: Course grades will be computed from the following weighted average:

  1/3 Final Exam,
  1/6 Each Midterm Exam (three of them),
  1/6 Homework and Quiz average.

You might want to check that those fractions add up to 1.

Resources: Course materials and announcements will be posted to Blackboard, and all grades will be recorded in Blackboard's electronic gradebook. You can review your scores there at any time.

Make sure that Blackboard has your current email address. Important course announcements will be sent exclusively to that address.

Places to get Help:  One of the first places you should look for help is to ask your instructor. Additional study assistance is found in two locations:

  • The Math and Science Support Center in 2133 French Hall. They are open 9am-8pm on Monday-Thursday and 9am-4pm on Friday, and also noon-4pm on Saturday.
  • In particular, they have Math 2074 Study Tables on Monday 6-8pm, Tuesday 10am-12m, Thursday 10am-12m, and Friday 3-5pm.
  • The Engineering Learning Center in 416 ERC.
  • The Learning Assistance Center in 2441 French Hall. They offer individual tutoring services and a variety of other academic support programs. Advance online registration is required.

Calculators:  Calculators, computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices are not permitted on Quizzes, Tests, or the Final Exam. These devices can only be used for solving homework problems and as a study aid.

Attendance:  You are expected to attend class and take exams as they are scheduled.
Exceptions can be granted for the following reasons, provided that the appropriate evidence/documentation is brought to the instructor as soon as possible.

  • Documented health or serious family problem.
  • University business (including athletics engagements).
  • Conflict with other UC classes.
  • Unavoidable work conflict, documented by a written statement from the employer. The statment must assert unwillingness to give leave to the student for that specific test, and be dated at least 10 days before the first test and one month before successive tests and final exam, in order to prove that the employer has been asked with advance notice. (A copy of regular working schedule is not enough). If requested, the instructor can provide the student with a smaple statement to bring to the employer.
  • Students registered with Disability Services as needing special testing facilities or much extended time.

Re-Grading: If you believe that a grading error has been made in evaluating your work, you should request a re-evaluation on the same day that the paper was returned to you, and in no event more than 6 days past when the graded assignment was first returned to the class. You must return the entire assignment/exam in unaltered form along with a cover sheet clearly stating what error(s) you think were made. The entire assignment will be carefully re-graded. Please note that randomly selected papers from each quiz and test may be photocopied before they are returned.

Equal Opportunity: Students with special needs should meet with the instructor as soon as possible to arrange for reasonable provisions to ensure an equitable opportunity to meet all of the requirements of this course. At the discretion of the instructor, some accommodations my require prior approval by Disability Services.

Academic Integrity: Quite simply, you are expected to do your own work, using only the resources authorized by the course instructor. Any attempt to cheat on exams and/or assignments, to circumvent course policies, or to receive credit for work that is not your own, will be punished in accordance with the University Rules and Code of Conduct.

In this course you may collaborate with other students while attempting to solve homework problems, but only under the guidelines described above. Your work on quizzes and exams, whether in class or take-home, must be entirely your own. If you are having difficulty with a particular exam question, it is permissible to ask the instructor or exam proctor (but no-one else) for clarification.

For more information, see the UC Student Code of Conduct.

Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Requirements: This course satisfies the Breadth of Knowledge QR requirements.