I am your instructor Prof Geske (guess-key) and am happy to welcome you to the course! Please explore the course webpage.
Prof Geske here. Your TA's office hours have been added to the office hours table on the course webpage. Please check it out!
sent: Mon Sep 08
| Instructor | Office Hours Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Prof Geske | geske (at) usc (dot) edu | KAP 244A |
| Michael Huang | mshuang (at) usc (dot) edu | Math Center (KAP 263) |
You are encouraged to attend the office hours of any instructor. To gain the greatest advantage from office hours I recommend preparing your questions in advance. If it is impossible for you to attend these office hours but would still like to meet: feel free to reach out to your instructor or TA to schedule an alternative time to meet.
| Time Start | Time End | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9AM | 10AM | |||||
| 10AM | 11AM | Michael | ||||
| 11AM | 12PM | Michael | ||||
| 12PM | 1PM | |||||
| 1PM | 2PM | |||||
| 2PM | 3PM | |||||
| 3PM | 4PM | Prof Geske | Michael | |||
| 4PM | 5PM | Prof Geske | ||||
| 5PM | 6PM | Prof Geske |
☞ Here is the latest version of the formula sheet that you will be provided on Midterms and Retakes.
In this table you will find posted a pdf scaffold posted before each lecture, which we will fill in during class. You will also find posted, after each exam, solutions to that exam.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 ☞ Lecture 01 (A1) |
Aug 26 | Aug 27 ☞ Lecture 02 (A1) |
Aug 28 | Aug 29 ☞ Lecture 03 (A2) |
| Sep 01 No Class |
Sep 02 | Sep 03 ☞ Lecture 04 (A2) |
Sep 04 | Sep 05 ☞ Lecture 05 (A3) Homework 1 |
| Sep 08 ☞ Lecture 06 (A3) |
Sep 09 Simulation 01 Due ☞ mlx Companion |
Sep 10 ☞ Lecture 07 (A3) |
Sep 11 | Sep 12 Lecture 08 (A4) Homework 2 |
| Sep 15 Lecture 09 (A4) |
Sep 16 | Sep 17 Lecture 10 (A4) |
Sep 18 | Sep 19 Lecture 11 (A5) Homework 3 |
| Sep 22 Lecture 12 (A5) |
Sep 23 Simulation 02 Due ☞ mlx Companion |
Sep 24 Lecture 13 (B1) |
Sep 25 | Sep 26 Lecture 14 (B1) Homework 4 |
| Sep 29 Midterm A |
Sep 30 | Oct 01 Lecture 15 (B1B2) |
Oct 02 | Oct 03 Lecture 16 (B2) Homework 5 |
| Oct 06 Lecture 17 (B2) |
Oct 07 Simulation 03 Due ☞ mlx Companion |
Oct 08 Lecture 18 (B3) |
Oct 09 No Class |
Oct 10 No Class |
| Oct 13 Recorded Lecture 19 (B3) Retake A |
Oct 14 | Oct 15 Lecture 20 (B3B4) |
Oct 16 | Oct 17 Lecture 21 (B4) Homework 6 |
| Oct 20 Lecture 22 (B5) |
Oct 21 | Oct 22 Lecture 23 (B5) |
Oct 23 | Oct 24 Lecture 24 (C1) Homework 7 |
| Oct 27 Midterm B |
Oct 28 Simulation 04 Due ☞ mlx Companion |
Oct 29 Lecture 25 (C1) |
Oct 30 | Oct 31 Lecture 26 (C1) Homework 8 |
| Nov 03 Lecture 27 (C2) |
Nov 04 | Nov 05 Lecture 28 (C2) |
Nov 06 | Nov 07 Lecture 29 (C3) Homework 9 |
| Nov 10 Recorded Lecture 30 (C3) Retake AB |
Nov 11 No Class |
Nov 12 Lecture 31 (C4) |
Nov 13 | Nov 14 Lecture 32 (C4) Homework 10 |
| Nov 17 Lecture 33 (C5) |
Nov 18 Simulation 05 Due ☞ mlx Companion |
Nov 19 Lecture 34 (C5) |
Nov 20 | Nov 21 Lecture 35 (C5FinalOnly) Homework 11 |
| Nov 24 Midterm C |
Nov 25 | Nov 26 No Class |
Nov 27 No Class |
Nov 28 No Class |
| Dec 01 Lecture 36 (FinalOnly) |
Dec 02 | Dec 03 Lecture 37 (FinalOnly) |
Dec 04 | Dec 05 Recorded Lecture 38 (FinalOnly) Retake ABC Homework 12 |
| Dec 08 No Class |
Dec 09 No Class |
Dec 10 No Class |
Dec 11 No Class |
Dec 12 No Class |
| Dec 15 No Class |
Dec 16 No Class |
Dec 17 Final Exam |
The problem list is found at ☞ MyOpenMath. You will have received the CourseID and Enrollment Key by email, and can also find it in the associated Gradescope assignment. On MyOpenMath you can enter answers to problems, and your answer will be automatically checked without the possibility of penalty. You will not submit your assignments for grading through MyOpenMath: please read the next section.
You submit your homework for credit-based grading through ☞ Gradescope, not MyOpenMath. You should join our Gradescope course by accessing Gradescope through ☞ Brightspace. MyOpenMath is only there to provide you the problems and let you check your answers. Anything submitted through MyOpenMath will not be considered for credit.
Scan and upload your work either as pdfs or images through Gradescope. For pdfs: you should use Gradescope to tag each page with the problems it has. ☞ Here is how. For images: you should be asked to upload an image for each problem. Ensure your submissions are properly oriented (e.g. not sideways). Any problem that has not been assigned to a page or image will receive zero credit. Any submission that is illegible will receive zero credit.
You are graded on your work, not your final answers. Final answers with no or very insufficient work will receive zero credit.
Often the MyOpenMath problems will offer hints with steps for you to solve: in yellow boxes. You do not need to include solutions to the hints if you opted to solve the problem differently.
Collaboration is encouraged. Copying the work of others is not. If in doubt: you should be able to recreate your solution to the problem if spontaneously put on the spot. External resources are allowed, but your intention should not be to simply locate solutions.
4 problems will be randomly selected from each assignment, and those same problems will be graded out of 2 points on Gradescope for each student. Therefore each homework is out of 8 points. The possible scores on a problem are 0, 1, 1.5, or 2. A 1.5 is assigned if your answer is almost, but not quite, correct, in which case you will have the opportunity to submit a regrade request through Gradescope in which would explain your error and how you would fix it, following which your score would be rounded up to a 2. This option of having your score rounded up is reserved only for scores of 1.5. Regrade requests will be due about one-and-a-half weeks after the original homework due date, except for the final homework, for which regrade requests will be due a little less than a week after the homework.
Homework is worth 10% of your final grade. Your lowest 2 homework scores will be dropped.
Late homework will be accepted with a total deduction of 0.1 points (out of 8) if submitted by Sat at 2am, of 0.5 points if submitted by Sat at 5pm, of 1 point if submitted by the end of Saturday, of 1.5 points if submitted by Sun at 5pm, and of 2 points if submitted by the end of Sun. Homework will not be accepted after that Sunday. No exceptions are given.
The content of this syllabus is subject to change.
| Section | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 39606 | MWF 1-1:50pm | SOSB44 |
The textbook is recommended but not required.
| Textbook | Author | Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Differential Equations | Polking , Boggess, Arnold | 2nd |
This course is broken up into Unit A, Unit B, and Unit C. Each unit consists of 5 topics. For a total of 15 topics. There is also a topic that is exclusive to the final.
| Topic | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Basics of Differential Equations | Assess solutions to differential equations. Sketch slope fields. Solve separable differential equations. |
| A2 | First-Order Linear Differential Equations and Electrical Circuits | Solve first-order linear differential equations and solve Bernoulli equations. Apply to electrical circuits. |
| A3 | Homogenous Linear Second-Order Differential Equations | Identify homogenous linear second-order differential equations and assess linear independence of their solutions using the Wronskian. Solve such differential equations when the coefficients are constant. Apply these techniques to vibration. |
| A4 | Undetermined Coefficients | Solve non-homogeneous second-order linear differential equations using the method of undetermined coefficients. |
| A5 | Variation of Parameters | Solve non-homogeneous second-order linear differential equations using the method of variation of parameters. |
| B1 | Laplace Transforms | Compute Laplace transforms. Identity and use properties of Laplace transforms. |
| B2 | Inverse Laplace Transforms and Solving ODEs | Compute inverse Laplace transforms using partial fraction decomposition. Apply Laplace transforms to solve ODEs. |
| B3 | Laplace Transforms and Discontinuous or Periodic Functions | Express piecewise functions in terms of shifted Heaviside functions. Compute Laplace transforms and inverse Laplace transforms involving piecewise functions. Solve ODEs with discontinuous forcing terms. Compute Laplace transforms of periodic functions. |
| B4 | Dirac Delta Function and Impulse Response | Comptue Laplace transforms involving the dirac delta function. Calculate impulse responses. |
| B5 | Convolutions | Compute convolutions. Use convolutions to solve ODEs. |
| C1 | Some Basic Linear Algebra | Solve systems of equations. For 2 x 2 matrices: compute determinants and inverses and apply Cramer's rule. Find eigenvalues and eigenvectors of 2 x 2 matrices. |
| C2 | Basics of Systems of Differential Equations | Interpret terminology of systems of differential equations. Convert systems of differential equations to vector form. Convert higher-order differential equations to systems of first-order differential equations. |
| C3 | Homogenous First-Order Linear Systems of Differential Equations | Solve homogoneous systems of linear differential equations. |
| C4 | Inhomogenous First-Order Linear Systems of Differential Equations | Solve inhomogoneous systems of linear differential equations using variation of parameters and undetermined coefficients. |
| C5 | Matrix Exponential | Compute the matrix exponential and use it to solve systems of differential equations. |
| Final Only | Applications and Exact Equations | Apply techniques to solve mixing and circuit problems. Solve exact equations. |
Grading is broken up into Homework, Simulations, Topic Mastery, and the Final Exam.
| Category | Weight Total | Quantity of Items in Category | Weight Per Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 10% | [12 HWs - lowest 2 dropped] = [10 counted HWs] | 1% per non-dropped HW |
| Matlab Simulations | 5% | 5 Matlab Assignments | 1% per assignment |
| Topic Mastery | 60% | 15 topics | 4% per topic |
| Final Exam | 25% | 1 exam | 25% |
Homework will be due every Friday at 11:59pm except for the first Friday and on holiday Fridays.
Homework Guidelines. Please see the ☞ Homework Guidelines tab.
Contribution to Final Grade. Homework counts for 10% of your final grade. Your lowest 2 homework grades will be dropped.
5 Matlab Simulation assignments will be assigned irregularly throughout the semester and alwasy due on Tuesdays. See the ☞ Daily Schedule for due dates. Matlab will not be taught in lecture, but rather the key ideas will be introduced in companions to each assignment. You will complete each problem in a .m file, and will select Publish as PDF and then submit the resulting PDFs to Gradescope.
Late Simulation assignments will be accepted with a total deduction of 0.1 points (out of 5) if submitted by Wed at 2am, of 0.5 points if submitted by Wed at 5pm, and of 1 point if submitted by the end of Wednesday. Simulation assignments will not be accepted after that Wednesday. No exceptions are given.
Contribution to Final Grade. Matlab counts for 5% of your final grade.
There are 15 topics (A1-A5, B1-B5, C1-C5) which were listed earlier in the syllabus.
Individual Topic Grading. Each topic is graded out of 4 points. 4 points indicates mastery. Topic grading will be assessed using Midterms and Retakes.
| Date | Assessment | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 9/29/25 | Midterm A | Your Lecture Time | Your Lecture Classroom |
| Mon 10/13/25 | Retake ≤A | Your Lecture Time | Your Lecture Classroom |
| Mon 10/27/25 | Midterm B | Your Lecture Time | Your Lecture Classroom |
| Mon 11/10/25 | Retake ≤B | Your Lecture Time | Your Lecture Classroom |
| Mon 11/24/25 | Midterm C | Your Lecture Time | Your Lecture Classroom |
| Fri 12/5/25 | Retake ≤C | Your Lecture Time | Your Lecture Classroom |
Each Midterm is tied to a unit and will have a single problem (with parts) for each each topic in that unit. For example Midterm A is tied to Unit A and will have A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 problems. Each problem will be graded out of 4 points, indicating your score on that topic.
Each Retake is tied to all units up to that point and will have a single problem (with parts) for each topic in that unit. For example Retake ≤B is tied to Unit A and Unit B and will have A1, A2, ..., A5, B1, B2, ..., B5 problems. Each problem will be graded out of 4 points, indicating your score on that topic.
Your final score on a topic will be the maximum of your scores on each assessment. For example if your scores on A3 were [A3 on Midterm A: 1 points] and [A3 on Retake ≤A: 2 points] and [A3 on Retake ≤B: 3 points] and [A3 on Retake ≤C: 2 points] then your final score on A3 would be 3 points, as this was the maximum of your scores. Note that this means, if you ever score 4 points on a topic in an assessment, then you are effectively done with that topic, at least until the final exam.
Midterm and Retake Guidelines. Calculators are not allowed on any Midterms or Retakes. Notes are not allowed on any Midterms or Retakes. You will be provided a formula sheet however.
Midterm/Retake Absences. Exams must be taken in--person on the specified day. No exceptions are given, except for Midterm C which occurs during the week of Thanksgiving, which you may opt to take on the Friday before Thanksgiving instead, still in--person.
Otherwise, if you miss a midterm/retake for a valid and documented reason (e.g. sickness with a note from your doctor), then after the final exam has been graded, you may select up to 3 topics that appear on both that midterm/retake and on the final exam and, for each, replace your missing topic score on that midterm/retake with a substitute score from the final exam. Note that certain topics may not appear on the final exam, but you will not know which until the final exam has occurred. If you miss multiple midterms/retakes, the maximum total number of substitute scores from the final exam you can use is 5.
Regrade Requests. If you believe an error has been made in grading, a regrade request can be submitted through Gradescope. Regrade requests are due about one-and-a-half weeks after each assessment, except for Retake ABC, in which case the regrades will be due a little less than one week after the assessment.
Contribution to Final Grade. Topic Mastery counts for 60% of your final grade. Therefore each topic contributes 4% to your final grade.
Our sections will have a unique final exam not shared by other instructors.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Wed Dec 17 | 11am-1pm | ??? |
Final Exam Guidelines. Calculators are not allowed on any Midterms or Retakes. You will be allowed both sides of single handwritten standard sheet of paper on the Final Exam.
| Section | TA | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39607 | Michael Huang | Tu 2-2:50pm | KAP 164 |
| 39608 | Michael Huang | Tu 3-3:50pm | KAP 164 |
Attending and participating in discussion section is essential for success in the course.
In discussion section you will have the opportunity to work through additional problems related to the topics with the help of the TAs. You will find these problems posted on ☞ MyOpenMath. This will also be an opportunity for you to receive help on other assignments from your TA. You will also take your retakes in discussion section.
These are an essential resource that often go underutilized. We encourage you to attend them to receive help on any aspect of the course. Find them in the ☞ Office Hours tab.
The ☞ USC Math Center (KAP 263) is a place to go if you want help with your math classes. It is open during regular business hours and is always stocked with graduate students who can assist you with your mathematics classes.
The University of Southern California is foremost a learning community committed to fostering successful scholars and researchers dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas. Academic misconduct is in contrast to the university's mission to educate students through a broad array of first-rank academic, professional, and extracurricular programs and includes any act of dishonesty in the submission of academic work (either in draft or final form).
This course will follow the expectations for academic integrity as stated in the USC Student Handbook. All students are expected to submit assignments that are original work and prepared specifically for the course/section in this academic term. You may not submit work written by others or "recycle" work prepared for other courses without obtaining written permission from the instructor(s). Students suspected of engaging in academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity.
Other violations of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication (e.g., falsifying data), knowingly assisting others in acts of academic dishonesty, and any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair academic advantage.
The impact of academic dishonesty is far-reaching and is considered a serious offense against the university and could result in outcomes such as failure on the assignment, failure in the course, suspension, or even expulsion from the university.
For more information about academic integrity see the student handbook or theOffice of Academic Integrity’s website, and university policies on Research and Scholarship Misconduct.
USC has policies that prohibit recording and distribution of any synchronous and asynchronous course content outside of the learning environment.
Recording a university class without the express permission of the instructor and announcement to the class, or unless conducted pursuant to an Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) accommodation. Recording can inhibit free discussion in the future, and thus infringe on the academic freedom of other students as well as the instructor. (Living our Unifying Values: The USC Student Handbook, page 13).
Distribution or use of notes, recordings, exams, or other intellectual property, based on university classes or lectures without the express permission of the instructor for purposes other than individual or group study. This includes but is not limited to providing materials for distribution by services publishing course materials. This restriction on unauthorized use also applies to all information, which had been distributed to students or in any way had been displayed for use in relationship to the class, whether obtained in class, via email, on the internet, or via any other media. (Living our Unifying Values: The USC Student Handbook, page 13).
USC welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University’s educational programs.The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is responsible for the determination of appropriate accommodations for students who encounter disability-related barriers. Once a student has completed the OSAS process (registration, initial appointment, and submitted documentation) and accommodations are determined to be reasonable and appropriate, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be available to generate for each course. The LOA must be given to each course instructor by the student and followed up with a discussion. This should be done as early in the semester as possible as accommodations are not retroactive. More information can be found at osas.usc.edu. You may contact OSAS at (213) 740-0776 or via email at osasfrontdesk@usc.edu.
☞ Counseling and Mental Health - (213) 740-9355 24/7 on call
Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.
☞ 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988 for both calls and text messages 24/7 on call
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. The new, shorter phone number makes it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services (though the previous 1 (800) 273-8255 number will continue to function indefinitely) and represents a continued commitment to those in crisis.
☞ Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) - (213) 740-9355 (WELL) – 24/7 on call
Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender- and power-based harm (including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking).
☞ Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX) - (213) 740-5086
Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resources for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants.
☞ Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment - (213) 740-5086 or (213) 821-8298
Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.
☞ The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) - (213) 740-0776
OSAS ensures equal access for students with disabilities through providing academic accommodations and auxiliary aids in accordance with federal laws and university policy.
☞ USC Campus Support and Intervention - (213) 740-0411
Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student.
☞ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - (213) 740-2101
Information on events, programs and training, the Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Diversity Liaisons for each academic school, chronology, participation, and various resources for students.
☞ USC Emergency - UPC: (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24/7 on call
Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Latest updates regarding safety, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible.
☞ USC Department of Public Safety - UPC: (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-1200 – 24/7 on call
Non-emergency assistance or information.
☞ Office of the Ombuds - (213) 821-9556 (UPC) / (323) 442-0382 (HSC)
A safe and confidential place to share your USC-related issues with a University Ombuds who will work with you to explore options or paths to manage your concern.
☞ Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice - (323) 442-2850 or otfp@med.usc.edu
Confidential Lifestyle Redesign services for USC students to support health promoting habits and routines that enhance quality of life and academic performance.