Workshops on the Teaching of Differential Equations

Workshop on the Teaching of Differential Equations
Using a Dynamical Systems Perspective



June 1-4, 1997: Davidson College, Davidson, NC

June 22-25, 1997: DePaul University, Chicago, IL


The Boston University Differential Equations Project will present two faculty enhancement workshops in June of 1997. The first will be June 1-4 at Davidson College, and the second will be June 22-25 at DePaul University.

These workshops are intended to promote a new style of differential equations instruction, one that emphasizes concepts and applications and one that involves faculty members from mathematics, engineering, and the sciences. We will share the results of the Boston University Differential Equations Project in developing and implementing a radical revision of the traditional sophomore-level differential equations course designed to achieve these goals. The project will also feature presentations from an engineer who teaches courses that depend heavily on the differential equations course. To emphasize the way in which differential equations are used throughout a student's education, participants will take part in collaborative activities in small groups that include both mathematicians and faculty from other disciplines. The goal is to promote a style of differential equations instruction that better engages and serves students throughout their college and professional careers.

The workshop presenters will be Paul Blanchard and Robert L.Devaney (both from the Department of Mathematics at Boston University) and Michael Ruane (College of Engineering at Boston University). Each workshop will start on Sunday morning and will end early on Wednesday afternoon. Participants are encouraged to arrive on Saturday evening, and housing will be available for that night as well. A more detailed daily schedule will be announced later.

Support for housing and meals will be provided to a limited number of participants by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Travel expenses are expected to be provided by each participant's home institution. An application form is provided below.

All faculty who are interested in the teaching of differential equations are encouraged to apply. If possible, faculty are especially encouraged to apply in pairs, one from a mathematics department and one from an engineering or a science department at the same or nearby institution. Participants must also agree to certain follow-through activities that will be described in more detail when the $20 acceptance fee is requested by the workshop.

To insure that an application is considered for support, please return the application form by

MARCH 28, 1997

to the address given below. Those applicants will be informed of their acceptance by March 31. Applications for support will continue to be accepted after March 28, but support may not be available for those who apply after this initial deadline.


Application Form

Differential Equations Workshops

NAME:

AFFILIATION (Institution and Department):

MAILING ADDRESS:




PHONE:

FAX:

E-MAIL:

WORKSHOP LOCATION (Davidson or DePaul):


Preferably your application should include a brief resume and a brief statement regarding your experience with the differential equations course.

Please return (via email if possible) this form to:

odes@math.bu.edu

Fax: 617-353-8100 (attn: Paul Blanchard)

US Post:
Paul Blanchard
Differential Equations Workshop
Department of Mathematics
111 Cummington St.
Boston University
Boston MA 02215

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