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PHY 6346 - Electrodynamics I
Fall Term 2000
Time and Place: MWF Period 6 (12:50-1:40)
1216 New Physics Building (NPB).
Final Exam: Thursday, December 14, 10:00 am-12:00 noon
Instructor: Alan
Dorsey
| Office: 2116 NPB |
Phone: 392-4031
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Secretary: Julie Smith, 2152 NPB
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Email: dorsey@phys.ufl.edu
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Office hours: Thursday, Periods 7 and 8 (1:55-3:50 pm),
Friday, Period 4 (10:40-11:30 am).
If these times are inconvenient, you can see me by
making an appointment; first check my
schedule,
and then send me email or phone me with a suggested time; I will
confirm the appointment.
Textbook: The required text is
Classical Electrodynamics, Third Edition, J. D. Jackson
(John Wiley and Sons, 1998). Please check out the
extensive list of errata. A good supplemental text is
L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, and L. P. Pitaevskii, Electrodynamics
of Continuous Media, Second Edition (Pergamon Press, 1984).
I will also place some other texts on reserve at Marston Science
Library.
Prerequisites: An undergraduate course in electromagnetism
at the level of Griffth's Introduction to Electrodynamics, or
an equivalent text. I will also assume some mathematical
sophistication.
Synopsis: This is the first semester of a two semester
sequence on theoretical electrodynamics. This sequence is part of the
core curriculum for graduate students in physics.
The objectives of the course are (i) to introduce the student to
electrodynamics at a theoretically sophisticated level;
(ii) develop problem solving skills;
(iii) develop the techniques of mathematical physics to solve problems
in E&M as well as other areas of physics.
In Physics 6346 we will cover electrostatics, dielectric media,
magnetostatics, magnetic materials, and Maxwell's equations,
following closely Chapters 1--6 of Jackson. The necessary
mathematical tools will be developed as needed.
Physics 6347 will cover electromagnetic wave propagation,
waveguides, radiation, scattering, diffraction, special relativity,
and the electrodynamics of relativistic particles, corresponding
to Chapters 7--12 of Jackson.
Grading policy: There will be approximately one homework assignment
per week, due on Fridays. As a rule, late assignments will not be accepted
without the prior consent of the instructor. You may collaborate with
others on the problems, but you must make a note of your collaborators
(just as if you were writing a scientific paper). Noting your collaborators
does not in any way detract from your grade. However, each problem set
must be written individually-do not simply copy your collaborator's
solutions verbatim (this will be considered a form of plagiarism).
Please have mercy on your grader and make your solutions neat, concise,
and intelligible. Solutions which are seriously lacking in any of
these categories will be marked down, even if they are ostensibly ``correct.''
In addition to the homework assignments, there will
be two hour exams during the term, tentatively scheduled for September 29
and November 3,
along with the final exam. Details about the
exam formats will be posted here.
Your final grade is determined using the following approximate
formula: the homework is 40% of your grade, the hour exams 15% each, and
the final is 30%.
Here is a guideline for your final grade, as a
percentage of the total number of points (scaled as above): 80-100,
some type of A; 60-79, some type of B; 59 and below, some type of C.
These numbers may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors, but will not
be raised (i.e., if you have an 80 average you are assured of at least an A-).
The course grades are not curved.
Holidays (no classes): Labor Day, September 4; Veteran's Day,
November 10; Thanksgiving break, November 23 and 24.
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