MAT 258 : Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

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Increasingly, departments in engineering want their students to receive a brief introduction to linear algebra along with the traditional topics in differential equations. MAT 258 acts as a survey course for these two topics, merging the disciplines whenever possible. The course generally jumps back and forth from differential equations to linear algebra, using what is learned in one discipline to complement thinking in the other. The course generally begins with first-order differential equations with applications to radioactive decay and heating problems, then jumps to linear algebra where systems of linear equations, matrices, and the concept of a vector space are introduced. Then, back to differential equations where one studies second-order equations, both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous. Then back to linear algebra where linear transformations and eigenvalues and eigenvectors are introduced. Then finally, back to differential equations where systems of differential equations are introduced and solved using eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite A grade of C or better in MAT 228. Students planning on taking MAT 262 or MAT 451 or MAT 453 must opt for MAT 259 instead of MAT 258.

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Last modified on Tuesday, January 12, 1999