Physics 409

Winter Quarter 2004

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:            Dr. Echols, rechols@calpoly.edu, 756-2656, www.calpoly.edu/~rechols

 

Office Hours:    MWF 10:00-11:00 and T 1:00-2:00 in my office, 52-E36 and T 10:00-11:00 in the Learning Center 52-C20

 

Schedule:             MWF 9:10-10:00 in 52-E28

 

Textbook:       Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd Edition.

 

Additional References: Good, Classical Electromagnetism.

                                      Wangsness, Electromagnetic Fields, 2nd Edition.

                                      Pollack and Stump, Electromagnetism.

                                      Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics. (Those of you heading off to

                                      graduate school will most likely encounter this classic text).

 

Tentative Course Outline:

In Physics 408, we covered most of the material in chapters 1-7. In Physics 409, I expect to complete most of the material remaining in the text (chapters 8-12).

 

Homework:

As you know working physics problems is critical to understanding the material.  I encourage you to discuss solutions of problems with each other and myself but I expect that the homework you hand in to be individually prepared.  In fact, I strongly recommend reworking a problem by yourself (if you did obtain assistance from me or another student) without looking at any previous work you have completed (or the text) to make sure every aspect of the problem is understood. We will be having a homework assignment approximately every other class.

 

Exams:

We will be having two exams. One of the exams may be take home.

 

Final Project?:

You will be giving a 10-15 minute presentation to the class during our final exam time slot. The topic (E&M waves, radiation, or relativity) is up to you but you must be able to explain it using Maxwell’s equations. Our present day society is inundated with technologies that can be understood using Maxwell’s classical equations of electricity and magnetism. Choose one of these technologies (e.g. a microwave oven) and explain how the device or an aspect of the device works (e.g. how the microwaves are generated and contained). Please feel free to discuss your ideas with me. Topic selection must be turned in to me by Monday Feb. 23 and a detailed outline of your talk is due on Monday March 8.

 

Grading:

Your final grade will be based on your overall performance in the class with the following approximate percentages:  exams (30% each), homework (20%) and the final project (20%).