Course Information:

Lectures:  TuTh 12:30-2:00pm
Classroom:  Cory 241
Course Control Number: 54769

Instructor:  Jason Metcalfe
E-mail:  metcalfe@math.berkeley.edu
Office:  Evans 837
Office Hours:  Mondays 9:30-11:00am, Wednesdays 2:00-3:30pm, and by appointment.

Textbook:  M. Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, 3rd edition (Wiley)

Course Webpage:  http://math.berkeley.edu/~metcalfe/teaching/math121b/

Course Catalog Description:  Math 121B
Prerequisite:  Math 53 and Math 54
Main Topics:  Special functions (Ch. 11);  Series solutions of ODE and more special functions (Ch. 12);  Partial differential equations (Ch. 13);  Probability and Statistics (Ch. 16).

Grading:  The breakdown for the final grade is as follows:

• Homework Assignments:  15% total.  There will be an assignment corresponding to every lecture which will be collected one week later.
  
• Midterm Exams:  25% each.  There will be two in-class midterm exams:  Thursday, February 15 and Thursday March 22.
  
• Final Exam: 35% total.  The final exam is on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 from 5:00-8:00pm.

Cheating on any graded assignment or exam will be prosecuted to the fullest extent in accordance with university policy.  Please see the course webpage for more information.

Makeup exams will only be given for excused absenses with appropriate documentation (e.g. a doctor's note).  Except for the case of emergencies, the instructor must be contacted prior to the exam via e-mail or by calling my office (642-4573).  In the case of emergencies, you should contact me as soon as it is possible.

Late homework assignments will not be accepted in any circumstance, and no makeup assignments will be given.  If assignments are missed due to a documented, excused absense, then the final homework grade will be computed based only on your other assignments.

All assignments should be submitted to the instructor.  If you are unable to attend class, please bring the assignment to my office prior to the deadline.  If I am not in my office, please slide the assignment under the door.  Assignments should not be placed in my mailbox.

The homework assignments will NOT be sufficient to learn this material well.  The assignments are what can reasonably be collected and graded.  You should be doing many more problems.  The text contains many additional exercises.  If you need additional exercises, please consult the instructor.  Overall, I expect students to take into account that this is an advanced course.  It will require much work, and the energy/desire to think things over independently so as to fully understand the course material. You should expect to spend a lot of time on the homework and on figuring out how to solve types of exercises that have not been discussed in class.  Students are particularly encouraged to come to office hours for assistance.

Grading concerns:  We will gladly regrade any problem.  Please bring such concerns to my attention within a week of its return to the class.

At the end of the semester, you will, as usual, be given the opportunity to fill out course evaluations.  Suggestions withheld until this point, however, cannot be implemented to improve the current course.  Instead of waiting, you should feel free to give me feedback throughout the semester!  If anonymity is desired, simply type your suggestion and slide it under my door or place it in my mailbox.  Constructive suggestions are welcome at all times!