University of Maryland
Department of
Physics
Spring 2003
Prof. Steven Anlage
Physics 411
Title:
PHYS 411 Intermediate Electricity and
Magnetism (4) Prerequisite: PHYS 374. Foundations of electromagnetic theory,
with extensive applications of the methods. Thorough treatment of wave
properties of solutions of Maxwell’s equations. This is a 4 credit course.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 374. Knowledge of differential and integral calculus techniques. You are also expected to know basic electromagnetism
at the level of Phys 272 and 273 (e.g. integral forms of Gauss’s Law and
Ampere’s Law).
Instructor:
Prof. Steven Anlage, Room 1367
(Physics/Superconductivity Center). You
can find the Superconductivity Center either by 1) going through the blue door
labeled “Center for Superconductivity Research” in the basement of the physics
building, or 2) entering from the plaza between the Math and Physics
buildings.
Phone: 5-7321, e-mail:
anlage@squid.umd.edu,
World-Wide-Web: http://www.csr.umd.edu/
Teaching Assistant:
Liang Tao, 4219 Physics, x5-6073, taoliang@glue.umd.edu
Schedule:
Two lectures weekly,
TuTh...... 9:30am-10:45am (PHY 1410)
And a 1 hour discussion M.........10:00am-10:50am (PHY 1201)
Required
Text:
David J. Griffiths, Introduction to
Electrodynamics, Third Edition.
Recommended
Texts:
H. M. Schey, Div, Grad, Curl, and All
That (An Informal Text on Vector Calculus), Third Edition. (Available for $17.95 on amazon.com)
Lectures:
You will be responsible for material
presented in lecture that is not in the book.
If you miss a lecture you are responsible for finding out from a
classmate what we did in class.
Homework:
The homework assignment will be given in
class on Tuesdays. The assignment will be due at the beginning of class on the
following Tuesday. Please staple papers and show your name, assignment
number and date due.
Doing the homework is an essential part of this course! Homework will be returned by the following week.
Late homework is accepted, but will
receive a grade of 0. There is an
absolute “no excuse” policy for late homework. As compensation, the 2 lowest homework scores will be dropped in
the final grade calculation.
Recitations:
The recitations are designed to help you master the skills needed to solve problems and develop a deep understanding of electromagnetism. We will work on problems similar to those due for homework the following day. Note that you will be graded partly on your attendance, participation, and inquisitiveness in the recitation.
Exams:
There will be two “mid-term” exams and a
final exam. All exams will be counted
towards your final grade. Make-up exams
(for any of the exams) must be requested well in advance of the exam; the
reason for the absence must be documented and in accord with University policy
(see catalog). If an exam is unexpectedly canceled (due to inclement weather,
etc.) it is automatically rescheduled for the next full class period (i.e. a
Tuesday or Thursday).
In
grading, we are looking as much at the reasoning that you use, as well as the
final number you arrive at. So remember
to carefully set up the problem on paper, even if you cannot see the way
through to the solution.
The
final exam is Saturday, May 17 from 8:00 to 10:00 AM.
Computers
Developing a working knowledge of
computers in the context of physics problem solving is an important skill. You are encouraged to solve problems using
programs such as Mathematica, and you are also encouraged to visualize the solutions
using spreadsheet programs. However,
please do not turn in homework assignments as Mathematica notebooks.
Dropping
the Course:
Note: the last day to drop without a “W”
is February 10. The last day to drop
with a "W" is April 14.
Final
Grade:
Based approximately on homework (~20%),
recitation (~10%), mid-terms (~45%), and final (~25%). Note that the recitation grade includes
factors such as attendance, punctuality, participation, and interest in the
subject.
Academic
Dishonesty (cheating):
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense
that may result in suspension or expulsion from the university. In addition to any other action taken, the
normal sanction is a grade of “XF”, denoting “failure due to academic
dishonesty,” and will normally be recorded on the transcript of the offending
student.
Office
Hours
You are strongly encouraged to attend
office hours to ask questions, discuss the homework problems, and talk about
physics in general. My office is right
next to Prof. Lobb's in the Superconductivity Center.
Office hours will be Monday 11 – 12 noon
(in the CSR conference room), Monday 3 – 4 PM, and Thursday 11 – 12 noon.
Please note that the doors to the
Superconductivity Center lock after 5:30 PM on weekdays, and remain locked all
weekend.
Nitty
Gritty
Please do not eat or drink during lecture
or discussion. Also please de-activate
cell phones and beepers during lecture.
Your fellow students will appreciate these courtesies.
Tips
For Doing Well In This Course:
1)
Read the assignment in the book before
and after the material is covered in
lecture. The book is very well written
and quite entertaining to read.
2)
Freely ask questions in lecture, after lecture, and during office
hours. Also discuss problems with your
friends and classmates.
3)
Work all of the homework questions and problems. You are allowed and encouraged to discuss
homework with anyone you wish.
However, in order to really learn, don’t just copy solutions from
somewhere or someone else; rather, work through them in detail yourself. Start the homework problems early in the
week and think about them while doing less demanding things. Afterwards, make use of the solution sets,
your TA’s office hours, and me to make certain you understand all of the
solutions. The exam questions will
sometimes involve homework problems.
4)
Seek help immediately if you do not understand the material or can’t
solve the problems. Help is available
from your TA, and from me. Don’t wait
until just before the exams!
5)
Remember that you are responsible for material discussed in class, even
if it does not appear in the textbook.
What
Should You Learn in this Class?
Electromagnetism
is a beautiful and self-consistent description of very rich phenomena. It is the field theory that all other
field theories (like superstrings, etc.) try to emulate. A deep understanding of E+M is part of what
makes you a physicist. Another aspect
of your education is learning to solve physical problems using advanced quantitative
techniques, such as integral and differential calculus. This course should introduce you to these,
and other pleasures of theoretical physics.
The Honor Pledge is
a statement undergraduate and graduate students are asked to write by hand and
sign on examinations, papers, or other
academic
assignments not specifically exempted by the instructor. The
Pledge reads:
"I pledge on
my honor that I have not given or received any
unauthorized
assistance on this assignment/examination."
The pledge was
adopted by the University Senate on April 9, 2001, and
approved by the
President on May 10, 2001.