Introduction to Differential Equations

In Intro to Linear Differential Equations, Professor Blanchard and his team discussed biological and physical models that can be expressed as differential equations with one or two dependent variables. They also discussed geometric/qualitative and numerical techniques that apply to all differential equations. When possible, learners studied some of the standard symbolic solution techniques such as separation of variables and the use of integrating factors. They also studied the theory of existence and uniqueness of solutions, the phase line and bifurcations for first-order autonomous systems, and the phase plane for two-dimensional autonomous systems.

This course is part one of a three part series. The other two courses, Linear Differential Equations and Nonlinear Differential Equations: Order and Chaos are highly recommended for a more thorough understanding of the subject matter. The course was offered on edX.org between 2015 and 2017 and was part of the ACE (American Council on Education) Alternative Credit Project™.

Course Team & Partners

Paul Blanchard

Course Instructor paul@bu.edu

-- Please select a member -- Paul Blanchard, Course Instructor edX, Partner

• Paul Blanchard Course Instructor
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Paul Blanchard is professor of mathematics at Boston University. He grew up in Sutton, Massachusetts, USA, spent his undergraduate years at Brown University, and received his Ph.D. from Yale University. He has taught mathematics for more than thirty years, mostly at Boston University. His main…Read More

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Paul Blanchard

Course Instructor paul@bu.edu

Paul Blanchard is professor of mathematics at Boston University. He grew up in Sutton, Massachusetts, USA, spent his undergraduate years at Brown University, and received his Ph.D. from Yale University. He has taught mathematics for more than thirty years, mostly at Boston University. His main area of mathematical research is complex analytic dynamical systems and the related point sets, Julia sets, and the Mandelbrot set. He is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society.