A differential equation is an equation that relates a function to one or more of its derivatives.
– The above rather boring description does little to convey just how fundamental, widespread, and amazingly effective differential equations are in describing the world around us.
– Examples: Anything in motion. Also, many things that are not in motion. Also, many additional things to which the word “motion” does not really apply.
– Further examples: spaceships in orbit, populations growing and shrinking, a cup of coffee slowly cooling, springs bouncing, financial markets rising and falling, electrical current flowing through a circuit, ocean waves, sound waves, light waves, vibrations in musical instruments and airplane wings and suspension bridges,
– More examples: Pretty much everything.
Topics include methods of solving ordinary differential equations and applications to various problems.
Course Avatar and Site Header from a photo by Flickr user Mat Che: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mcinteractivity/
Capable engineers and technologists are a dime-a-dozen. This class’ purpose is to offer you an opportunity to distinguish yourself among many otherwise qualified individuals by improving essential communication skills. Students will build job application portfolios, improve writing in a variety of formats for different audiences, research something important to their careers so as to have an important writing sample, and practice professional oral presentation skills based on research. This class is difficult in ways different than major-specific classes, but it is the challenge afforded by the intensive projects and weekly in-class writing assignments that develop your communications skills over time. Simply put, students who apply themselves to the class throughout the semester will develop ways of thinking and expressing that will place them above many of their peers in a competitive job market.
