Math 0290: Differential Equations

Below is the weekly schedule for MATH 0290 for the Spring 2026 term. Section numbers and relevant problems from the textbook are included. The textbook is Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems, 2nd Edition, by Polking, Boggess, and Arnold.
Week & Dates Topics Covered Practice Problems
Week 1
Jan 12 – 16
Introduction to differential equations; Euler's Method #1-11 #3-6, 10-15, 21-28 #1-9, 11
Week 2
Jan 19 – 23
Runge-Kutta Method; Numerical Error; Computer tools including Matlab
(No class Monday - MLK Day)
#1-9 #1-6, 11-13
Week 3
Jan 26 – 30
Separation of variables; Modeling; 1st Order Linear Equations #1-29, 33-35 #1-10 #1-21, 29
Week 4
Feb 2 – 6
Mixing problems; Electrical circuits; 2nd Order Linear Equations #1-7, 9-10 #1-19 #1-20, 26-30
Week 5
Feb 9 – 13
Homogeneous Equations; Harmonic motion; Inhomogeneous Equations: undetermined coefficients #1-36 #1-12, 14-16, 18 #1-29
Week 6
Feb 16 – 20
Inhomogeneous Equations: Variation of Parameters; Forced harmonic motion Review for Midterm 1 #1-10 #3-11
Week 7
Feb 23 – 27
MIDTERM 1 (Feb 23)
Laplace Transform
#1-29 #1-41
Week 8
Mar 2 – 6
Laplace Transform (cont.) #1-36 #1-26 #1-25
Week 9
Mar 9 – 13
SPRING BREAK No Classes
Week 10
Mar 16 – 20
Delta function; Convolutions; Systems of differential equations #1-9 #4-24 #1-16 #1-6, 13-16
Week 11
Mar 23 – 27
Qualitative Analysis; Planar systems #1-6 #1-8, 16-23 #1-27, 58-61
Week 12
Mar 30 – Apr 3
Phase plane; Trace-Determinant plane; Nonlinear systems #1-23 #1-12 #1-16
Week 13
Apr 6 – 10
Review for Midterm 2
MIDTERM 2 (Apr 8)
Fourier Series
#1-22
Week 14
Apr 13 – 17
Variation of parameters; Fourier Cosine/Sine series; Heat equation #1-32 #1-11 #1-18
Week 15
Apr 20 – 24
Separation of variables for the heat equation (cont.); Review for the final #1-18
Finals Week FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, April 29 8:00 AM – 9:50 AM