Course Project (30%)

2022-2023

Ordinary Differential Equations

MA 266
Semester: Spring 2023
 Table of Contents
I. Project Description .......................................................................................................................... 3
II. ABET Learning Outcome .................................................................................................................. 3
III. Project Management & Deliverables ............................................................................................... 4
IV. Turnitin ............................................................................................................................................ 5
V. APA Style ......................................................................................................................................... 6
VI. Academic Honesty and Integrity Assurance .................................................................................... 6
VII. Copyrights ....................................................................................................................................... 7
VIII. Project and team-based work ......................................................................................................... 7
IX. Grading Scheme .............................................................................................................................. 7

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I. Project Description

Differential equations are mathematical equations that includes a variable and derivatives
which express how the variable is changing over time. The equations demonstrate the relation
between the quantities or the functions or the variables. In the field of engineering, differential
equations are commonly used to design and analyze systems such as electrical circuits,
mechanical systems, and control systems. In the natural sciences, differential equations are
used to model the evolution of physical systems over time, such as the spread of diseases,
exponential growth and decay, the population growth of species or the change in investment
return over time the movement of celestial bodies and the flow of fluids. In this project, the
students will study a differential equation based on real-life problems.

The main goal of this project is understanding one of the well-known curves: catenary.

The project should be done collectively by a group, but the contributions from each group
member should be clearly identified. Each group member must have primary responsibility for
a major part of the project and should write the corresponding sections on each of the reports.

The work should not be directly copied from another source, and it should be written in students
own words.

Group Size: max 3 students.

II. ABET Learning Outcome

The aim of this project is:

• To classify differential equations (DEs). (1)*
• To solve DEs of the type which occur in many areas of engineering and sciences. (1)*
• To model real life problems problem by DEs. (1)*

*(1): An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles
of engineering, science, and mathematics.

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III. Project Management & Deliverables

This project is divided into three deliverables.

Deliverable 1: Report (10%) Grading scheme can be found at the end of this file.

• In Section 4.10 (page 189) of your book (9th edition), study the subsection Depending
Variable Missing. Study also Example 1 on the same page.
• Solve Exercises 3, 4, and 5 on page 192. Include your solutions in your report.
• Construct a DE of the form 𝐹(𝑦 ′ , 𝑦 ′′ ) = 0 (your DE may contain only 𝑦’ and 𝑦′′), whose
one of the solutions is
𝑒 𝑥 +𝑒 −𝑥
𝑦= .
2

Solve the DE you constructed.

• Plot graphs of some of the solutions of the DE you constructed.

A written report must be submitted via Moodle on Turnitin by Week 9 – Tuesday 11 April, 8:00
pm.

Structure of the report

a. Abstract – Explain the content of your report.
b. Introduction – Describe the technique in Section 4.10 in your own words.
c. Solutions – Solve Exercises 3,4,5 on page 192 as well as the DE you constructed. Include
these 4 problems as Examples in your report. Plot the graphs of some of the solutions.
d. Conclusions – Summarize your work.
e. References with formal citations

Deliverable 2: Report (10%) Grading scheme can be found at the end of this file.

• In Section 5.3 (page 222) of your book (9th edition), study the subsection Telephone
Wires. Study also Example 3. More information and details can be found in this link.
• What is a catenary? Provide some historical details.
• Provide some information about equation (11) given on page 225 in your book.
• Solve equation (11).
• Give detailed information about catenary and catenary curve, use of the curve in
architecture and other applications.

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 • Using a CAS (SageMath, Matlab, or Mathematica), plot the graphs of some of the
solutions of the DE, namely catenary curves.

A written report must be submitted via Moodle on Turnitin by Week 11 – Tuesday 25 April, 8:00
pm.

Structure of the report

a. Abstract – Explain the content of your report.
b. Introduction – Give detailed information about catenary and catenary curve.
c. Solution – Find the solution of the equation.
d. Conclusions – Summarize your work and give possible remarks. Provide some
information on use of catenary in real life.
e. References with formal citations

Deliverable 3: Power Point Slides and Presentation (10%) Grading scheme can be found at
the end of this file.

The presentation will take 5-10 minutes followed by another 5-10 minutes for discussion. An
electronic copy of the presentation (MS PowerPoint) must be submitted through Moodle
(Turnitin) prior to the presentation due date. A rough structure of oral presentation is as
follows:
1. Introduction and overview of the deliverables.
2. Catenary: general and historical info.
3. Mathematical description.
4. Conclusion and applications.
5. Reflections of the project on students’ learning.

A presentation during the lecture: Week 14

IV. Turnitin

Turnitin is a web-based solution that lets AUM faculty and AUM students check written work for
improper citation or misappropriated content. You may be assigned a username and a password to be
able to upload your assignments online, when and if requested. If you face any technical problem,
please contact IT at AUM.

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 V. Artificial Intelligence AI-based content
AI-powered content generating tools are still under development. Students must be particularly aware
that the use of AI-based tools in their academic work may hinder their creativity, critical thinking, and
the attainment of other learning objectives.
As part of assessments, students should refrain from using or submitting any content generated
through the use of AI-based tools as it will be considered as a breach of academic integrity (refer to the
section Academic Honesty and Integrity Assurance).
In particular cases where the use of this tool will be explored, studied or evaluated, the faculty member
will clearly state it and authorize students to use it in their work.

VI. APA Style

AUM adopts the APA writing style for all its academic programs. AUM students need to use this style
for their assignments. The following web site is of value for students:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/. Students are also encouraged to visit the AUM
Writing Lab to receive help and guidance on all APA-related questions.

VII. Academic Honesty and Integrity Assurance

One of the signs that the course material has been properly understood is honesty when accomplishing
the assignments. Lack of academic integrity (e.g., plagiarism, copying another person’s work, the use of
unauthorized aids on examinations, cheating, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others) will
not be tolerated. Therefore, if students include ideas, sentences, or other material that are not theirs
in their work, they must properly quote the source(s). Students are encouraged to consult with the
instructor if they have any questions on the issues of academic integrity or technical formatting of the
references.
Upon suspicion and doubt of the authenticity of the work submitted, the instructor has the right to ask
the student to verify her/his work. This can be done through, but not limited to, repeating the work, oral
examination or discussion, alternative or similar on spot class assignment, pop quiz, or any other action
deemed necessary. If the student fails to prove the authenticity of the work, then the instructor will apply
the academic misconduct rules as mentioned in the AUM Student Handbook which may include awarding
the work a zero grade.
Students are expected and encouraged to be honest and to maintain the highest standards of academic
integrity in their academic work and assignments at the University. Any act of Academic Dishonesty
may result in severe consequences for violations range from zero grades given for the assignments,
failing the course, and suspension from the University. Students will refrain from any academic
dishonesty or misconduct including, but not limited to:
• Upon suspicion and doubt of the authenticity of the work submitted, the instructor has the
right to ask the student to verify her/his work. This can be done through, but not limited to,
oral examination or discussion, or any other action deemed necessary. If the student fails to
prove the authenticity of the work, then the instructor will apply the academic misconduct rules
as mentioned in the AUM Student Handbook
• A zero grade will be given to all students that share exactly the same results: You will also be
held responsible if someone else copies your work - unless you can demonstrate that you have
taken reasonable precautions against copying.

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 • Any violation of the AUM standards will be taken as a violation to AUM policy and can lead to
penalties. If you wonder whether a course of action violates this policy, simply ask in advance
and please refer to the undergraduate AUM Student Handbook.
For a detailed description of academic misconduct, please refer to the AUM Student Handbook.

VIII. Copyrights

Students are expected to adhere to copyright practices, refer to the undergraduate AUM Student
Handbook.

IX. Project and team-based work

The Project component of the course, if exist, is essential to passing this course. The project shows
competency in understanding and applying the course objectives and achieving the learning outcomes.
The project should allow the student to investigate, apply, research, and practice real-life business
situations. It is expected that each student to fully and actively participate in the project as an effective
team member. A project document will be distributed later in the semester with details about the
project.
For all group related work, the entire team is responsible for the team outcome and the deliverables,
except for the specific parts of the project that may be graded individually depending on the project’s
requirement and as communicated in the project document.

X. Grading Scheme

The project is worth 30% of the total grade of your course; deliverable 1 is 10%, deliverable 2 is 10%
and deliverable 3 is 10%. The grade will be based on every group’s work, simulation, results,
explanation, report, and presentation. The student will be evaluated based on the below grading
scheme:
Deliverable 1: Report (10%)
Solution Formatting and language
Abstract (10%) Introduction (20%) Conclusions (10%) References (10%)
(40%) (10%)
Structure of the Description of the Solution of Exercises 3,4,5, and Summary of the Use IEEE or APA Grammatical and
Report subsection Depending the DE you constructed. report done. references and sentence structural
Variable Missing. correct citation. mistakes.
Formatting: Cover page,
group members’ names,
consistent fonts, and
size throughout the
document.

Deliverable 2: Report (10%)

Abstract (10%) Introduction (20%) Solution Conclusions References (10%) Formatting and language
(40%) (10%) (10%)

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Structure of the Detailed description of Deriving the analytic Main Results Use IEEE or APA Grammatical and sentence
Report catenary. solution of the equation. briefing with references and structural mistakes.
graphs. correct citation. Formatting: Cover page,
Summary of group members’ names,
your work, and consistent fonts, and size
possible throughout the document
remarks. (i.e., no copy-pasting from
the net).

Deliverable 3: Power Point Slides and Presentation (10%)

Knowledge and Content (20%)
Material sufficient for clear
understanding and exceptionally
presented
Results (figures, graphs, etc.) Contribution of work Knowledge of subject Presentation Skills (20%)
(20%) (20%) (20%)
All figures clear with the Significance Demonstrated full Excellent language skills,
same format and exceptionally well knowledge; answered all gestures, etc.
exceptionally explained explained questions with
elaboration

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