Some boundary value problems for partial differential equations are amenable to analytic techniques. For example, the constant-coefficient, second-order linear equations called the heat, wave, and potential equations are solved with some type of Fourier series representation obtained from the Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem that arises upon separating variables. The role of Maple in the solution of such boundary value problems is examined. Efficient techniques for separating variables, and a way to guide Maple through the solution of the resulting Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problems are shown.