Math 312
Spring 2016

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Ron Buckmire: 
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 Homework

Term Project

Instructor: Ron Buckmire
Class Time: MWF 11:45am-12:40pm
Class Room: Fowler 309
Office: Fowler 313
Office Hours: MTWRF 2:00-3:00pm.
Email: ron at oxy.edu
GoogleTalk:MadProfessah
Twitter: @MadProfessah

The official version of the syllabus is on this page. A pdf version of the course syllabus is also available.

Use the navigation bar at the top of each page to access the various course materials on this site.

Textbook:  Complex Analysis: A First Course Wth Applications, Third Edition by Dennis G. Zill and Patrick D. Shanahan, Jones & Bartlett, 2015.

Course Goals:
The main goal of the course is for you to learn different aspects of complex
analysis. I shall be teaching the course with an idea towards how complex  variables are used to solve real-world or physical problems in other disciplines.
Topics intended to be included in the course are: the complex plane, elementary and analytic functions of a complex variable,  contour integration, conformal mapping, Laurent and Taylor series, and residues and their applications.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course you should be able to:

• manipulate complex numbers and elementary functions of a complex variable
  (as well as you previouslymanipulated real numbers and real functions)
• solve algebraic equations containing complex variables
• differentiate and integrate functions of a complex variable
• construct functions that map from one 2-D region to another
• expand functions of a complex variable into Laurent series
• use residues to evaluate real integrals
  

and much more!

The official Occidental College Mathematics Department Goals and Outcomes for the course are:

• Outcome 3.2: Students will give a clear and well-organized presentation on a mathematical topic.

• Outcome 5.1: Students are able to define and deploy important terms in multiple areas of advanced mathematics.

• Outcome 5.2: Students are able to provide examples that illustrate important concepts found in multiple areas of advanced mathematics.

Class Description (and Expectations): I believe strongly in collaborative learning, active engagement and peer instruction. Collaborative learning means that students collaborate together to learn the material in the course. Active engagement by students means that you accept the responsibility for your own learning of the material and do not perceive the instructor (professor) as a source of all knowledge. Peer instruction is when students in the class learn from each other by explaining concepts and demonstrating their own understanding to others. These ideas are integral parts of my teaching philosophy. I hope that every single student will have met with me in my office at least once and probably several times, by the end of the semester. Complex Analysis is not a class that you should expect to "do well'' on your own.

I also believe that students should be able to communicate the mathematics they are learning, in both written and oral form, to others. Thus, everyone in the class will have to give a (very short) oral presentation before the class detailing the answer to a homework or quiz question at least once throughout the semester. In addition, you will probably be explaining details of the ideas in complex analysis to each other as you do the problem sets outside of class, and as we grapple with the concepts during class. However, this is a 300-level math class and I will expect a corresponding level of mathematical rigor and student responsibility. This class entails a lot of work, if you are not prepared for this, you should consider an alternative course.

Class Format: As with most professors, I will expect a lot of participation in class and will facilitate this through the use of daily class formats (worksheets), group work, in-class computer exercises, abbreviated lectures and online communication. Mathematics is best learned by doing mathematics, so be prepared to work!

Course Policies:

•  Make-up tests will not be given except for compelling reasons which have been communicated to me well-in advance (i.e. at least 7 days) of the test date.
•  If you are late to a test, you will only be allowed the time remaining in which to complete your test.
• Late quizzes (or homework) will not be accepted under any condition since the solutions are made available on the same day that they are collected to be graded.
• This is not an exhaustive list of course policies!

College Policies:

Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities who are registered with Disability Services are required to present their accommodation letter to the instructor at the beginning of each semester or as soon as possible thereafter. Any student who experiences significant physical or mental impairments may contact Disability Services at (323) 259-2969 to learn about available services and support. More information is available at http://www.oxy.edu/disability-services.

Honest Academic Work: No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course. Any instances of cheating and/or plagiarism will be reported on the first offense.
Oxy has policies regarding intellectual honesty in the student handbook or see http://www.oxy.edu/student-handbook/academic-ethics/

Classroom Conduct: The goals of this course can only be accomplished in a setting of respect. Although differential equations rarely lends itself to too much controversy, we must still provide a safe environment that is conducive to learning. All are welcomed and encouraged to actively participate in the learning of all the materials of this course, regardless of gender, race, nationality, native language, sexuality, political ideology, and especially personal mathematical history. Any student who feels she or he is experiencing a hostile environment should speak to me immediately.

Electronic Devices: Please remember that common courtesy dictates turning off all electronic devices and cell phones (or place in silent mode) before coming to class; these devices can be a distraction for other students (and me!) in the class and thus should not be in use during class time unless I give you explicit permission to do so.

Grades: The final course grade will be composed of the following:

• Two (2) Tests 30% (15 % each)
• Quizzes and Homework 30%
• Final Exam 20%
• Term Project 15%
• Class Participation and Individual Oral Presentation 5%
  

Quiz: There will be quizzes given every week. These quizzes will almost always be take-home, weekend quizzes given out on class on Friday to be handed in in class on Monday. They will consist of problems similar to the homework problems or concept questions in the textbook which you work on by yourself and will be a way in which you can assure yourself you are keeping up with the course.

Homework: Homework should be done in pencil. Homework will be collected in PROBLEM SETS that will be due every week or so (typically on Wednesdays). You are strongly encouraged to work on the homework together. However, whatever you hand in must represent your own understanding of the material. Copying homework is cheating and will be dealt with accordingly. Homework is assigned for each class period, usually on the associated class worksheet.

Term Project: I will provide more information about the term project later in the semester. It will probably consist of  a 5-paged written presentation AND a 5-minute oral presentation which describes some topic involving complex variables which is of interest to the student. The project will be done individually (or possibly in pairs).

• TEST 1: Monday, February 29 (Leap Day!) 2016
• TEST 2: Friday, April 15, 2016
• FINAL EXAM : Tuesday May 3 (8:30am-11:30am)