<p>Unfortunately, I'll probably have to wait until the Fall to take it. I've taken Cal I-III and took Linear Algebra this past fall.</p>
<p>What specifically in Calculus (besides the short differential equations) should I review?</p>
<p>Well...</p>
<p>For separable equations, you don't really need anything calculus based beyond simple differential equation things. Know how to integrate, as this is how these sorts of things are done. Generally speaking, the integration isn't too bad, but you should know how to use u-substitution, parts, and partial fraction decomposition (especially later for Laplace transforms).</p>
<p>For exact equations, a solid understanding of how exact differentials works would be nice. This should have been covered in Cal. 3 when you were doing line integrals.</p>
<p>For higher order differential equations, it would be nice to know how to tell if two functions are linearly independent, as well as how exponentials with complex parts work (in terms of sines and cosines, etc.)</p>
<p>Also, when you start doing series solutions, knowing what a Taylor series is will probably be nice.</p>
<p>For the most part, though, it's a cookie-cutter, cookbook course... at least in my experience. Upper-level or advanced ones may be more rigorous, but if it's an engineering service course, you'll probably just hit the methods and cover anything you need to know when you come to it.</p>
<p>Well, I'm a physics major. Here's a description of the course:</p>
<p>Differential Equations
Systems of ordinary differential equations; existence, uniqueness and stability of solutions; initial value problems; bifurcation theory; Jordan form; higher order equations; Laplace transforms. Computer assignments are required.</p>
<p>If computer assignments are required then knowing how to use programs such as Maple, Mathematica, or whatever your school uses would be very convenient. Although IMHO, it's not hard to learn how to program for Diffeq.</p>
<p>Basically, techniques of integration and differention, algebra (such as factoring etc) and trig identities. Those seem to come up a lot on the test since the students are usually expected to be very familiar with them.</p>
<p>Other than that, I cant think of anything off the top of my head that would be useful.</p>
<p>All right. Thanks for the help, guys.</p>