Course: PHZ 3113, Introduction to Theoretical Physics, Meeting times: MWF, Period 6 (12:50-1:40am), room 1220 Physics
Instructor: J. N. Fry, Office: 2172, Phone: 392-6692, e-mail: fry#phys.ufl.edu, Office Hours: M 4:00pm; Tu/Th 1:00pm [schedule]
Grader: Jay Perez, Office: 2060, Phone: 392-xxxx, e-mail: mjperez#phys.ufl.edu, Office Hours: Thursday, 2:00–4:00

Course Description: This course presents an introduction to mathematical tools used in theoretical physics, with emphasis on practical uses rather than formalism. Where possible, connections will be made with physical examples, particularly from electrodynamics, statistical physics, and thermodynamics. Approximate schedule of topics will be

Prerequisites: PHY 2061, MAC 2313, or permission of the instructor.

Grading: Grading will be based 25% on periodic homework sets, and 25% each on three term exams. The term exams will tentatively be in class on September 24 (solution) (distribution), October 29 (solution) (distribution), and December 8 (solution) (distribution), Because the material is a sampler of very different methods, there will be no cumulative final exam. Grading thresholds will be set as for an upper level course: an overall score of 40 will be worth a C, 50 will be worth a B, 60 a B+, 70 an A−, and 80 and up will be an A. I will retain the right to adjust the thresholds downwards (so 79 might become an A), but they will not go up. In addition, at each level there is a requirement on the number of homework sets turned in: 40% for a C, 50 for a B, etc. Students are expected to complete work at the time due, or as soon as possible in case of illness or other accepted, documented circumstance. There will be no last-minute makeups accepted.

The following paragraphs of advice on how to do well in Physics are lifted from one of my colleagues. (To put this into perspective, he also was once known to have his posted office hours during class meeting time.) This is your education, and you are free to make your own choices, but you should listen to what they say:
  I do not plan to take daily attendance, but it is to your advantage to attend class. You may spend most of your time sleeping, but in between you will have the opportunity to learn what subjects I think are important, and you can then concentrate on these subjects during your reading. If by some unfortunate set of circumstances you do miss class, do not ask me if I said anything important — everything that I say is important. Instead, ask a classmate; she or he is likely to give an honest answer, and you won't offend me. There will be a substantial number of examples discussed in class that are not in the textbook, and examples in class often appear on tests. If you miss class you will not do well in this course.
  Do the assigned homework. This is the drudge part of physics, but it is absolutely necessary. We will learn grand ideas and see their wondrous applications in class. But, your understanding is only superficial unless you can apply these same grand ideas to completely new circumstances. In course work, this is usually done with homework problems. Do not be surprised if the homework is frustrating at times; solving one challenging problem makes the next much easier. And homework problems often appear on tests. Doing all of the homework is the easiest way to improve your grade. Not doing homework is the easiest way to lower your grade.

Required text:

• M. L. Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, 3rd edition (Wiley 2006)

Other useful books:

• [G. B.] Arfken and [H. J.] Weber, Mathematical Methods for Physicists, 6th edition (Elsevier, 2005).
• R. [Ramamurti] Shankar, Basic Training in Mathematics: A Fitness Program for Science Students (Springer, 1995).
• Harry M. Schey, Div, Grad, Curl, and All That: An Informal Text on Vector Calculus, Third Edition (W.W. Norton, 1997).
• Philip M. Morse and Herman Feshbach, Methods of Theoretical Physics, Parts I, II (McGraw-Hill, 1953).

• David J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electromagnetics, 3/E (Prentice Hall, 1999).

This and that:
Physical Constants from the Particle Data Group
Math trivia, Akira Hirose Math Notes
George Gabriel Stokes 1819–1903: An Irish Mathematical Physicist, Sir George Gabriel Stokes, Leonhard Euler, the works of Leonhard Euler online
Harmonic sums  (∑ 1/n [red], ∑ (−1)ⁿ⁺¹/n [blue]);  logarithmic;  ∑^N 1/n - ln(N);  Euler's constant γ_E
Series Expansions, a sample calculation
Hyperbolic arrowhead
death star
George Green, An Essay on the Application of mathematical Analysis to the theories of Electricity and Magnetism
"The boundary of a boundary vanishes" [line 5 of page 9]
More than you wanted to know about δ-functions from
∑sin(nx)/n: N=1, 2, 3, 7, 15, 31
exp(i2πnα): rational, irrational
triangle wave ½ − ∑(4/π²n²) cos(nx) [odd], square wave ∑(4/πn) sin(nx) [odd]

Predictions Of Upcoming Winners For Nobel Prize In Physics
Thomson Reuters Predicts the Nobel Prize in Physics
Annual predictions for the Nobel Prizes released (Scientific American)
The Nobel In Physics 2010: Place Your Bets! (the hammock physicist)

Cosmic Variance, Are you the center of the Universe?, Leaves on the Line, Starts With a Bang!
Skeetobite Weather +
UP undergraduate physics newsletter

Class Diary

Homework: Problem solving is a skill learned only through practice. Take advantage of the homework as an opportunity to learn how to recognize the right approach to a problem before it becomes exam time. While I encourage you to discuss the assignments with each other, what you turn in must represent your own work. As we also do when publishing research articles: if you obtain significant information from a published or human source, cite that source. This will often be as little as "Jackson, eq. (9.98)". If you work together, please identify other members of your working group. And, please, be sure that in the end your elegant solution in fact answers the question asked!

1. Homework 1. Due Friday, September 3. Solution.
2. Homework 2. Due Friday, September 10. Solution.
3. Homework 3. Due Monday, September 20. Solution.
4. Homework 4. Due Monday, October 4. Solution.
5. Homework 5. Due Wednesday, October 13. Solution.
6. Homework 6. Due Friday, October 22. Solution.
7. Homework 7. Due Friday, November 12. Solution.
8. Homework 8. Due Monday, November 22. Solution.
9. Homework 9. Due Monday, December 6. Solution.

   Exam 1 Solution.
   Exam 2 Solution.
   Exam 3 Solution.

   Test 1 Fall 07, Test 1 Fall 08. Test 1 Fall 09.
   Test 2 Fall 07, Test 2 Fall 08. Test 2 Fall 09.
   Test 3 Fall 07, Test 3 Fall 08. Test 3 Fall 09.

   University Policies: Students are expected to know and comply with the University's policies regarding academic honesty and use of copyrighted materials. Cheating, plagiarism, or other violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines will not be tolerated and will be pursued through the University's adjudication procedures.
     “Students requesting classroom accommodations must first register with the Disabilities Resources Program, located in the Dean of Students Office, P202 Peabody Hall. The Disabilities Resources Program will provide documentation to the student, who must then deliver this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodations.”