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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 darkdenver (Steven Bratman): https://www.flickr.com/photos/darkdenver/

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 darkdenver (Steven Bratman): https://www.flickr.com/photos/darkdenver/

This semester, we will explore the elements of fiction by reading twentieth and twenty-first century American literature. Through an intensive study of selected short stories and a novel, using critical reading, discussion, and writing, students will become familiar with important themes and methodologies of fiction. Throughout the course, we will analyze and discuss how authors use traditional elements of fiction (setting, point of view, etc.) to express their ideas and to develop their plots and characters.

This semester, we will explore the elements of fiction by reading twentieth and twenty-first century American literature. Through an intensive study of selected short stories and a novel, using critical reading, discussion, and writing, students will become familiar with important themes and methodologies of fiction. Throughout the course, we will analyze and discuss how authors use traditional elements of fiction (setting, point of view, etc.) to express their ideas and to develop their plots and characters.