Advanced Electricity and Magnetism (PY 785)

PROF. T. SCHAEFER



Physics 785 (Advanced Electricity and Magnetism) is a graduate level introduction to the classical theory of the electromagnetic field. The first semester covers mainly static phenomena, and the second semester (PY 786) will cover time dependent phenomena.

  1. Lecture: MWF 9:10-10:00, RID 314
  2. Instructor: T. Schaefer, Office RID 400F
    email: Thomas_Schaefer[at]ncsu.edu
    Office hours: MW. 3:00-4:00 and by appointment.
  3. Teaching Assistant: TBA
  4. Homework:
    Most Fridays a set of homework problems will be assigned. (You can also check the website.) The homework is due Friday the following week at 10:00am. No late homework will be accepted.
  5. Exams
    There will be two midterm exams and a final.
  6. Grade
    Your final grade will be determined by weighting the various portions of the course as follows:
    Midterms: 30%, Final: 40%, Homework: 30%
  7. Textbook
    (required) Classical Electrodynamics (Third Edition), John David Jackson. This is really the only book you need. If you absolutely think you need something else: ``Introduction to Electrodynamics'' by David J. Griffiths is an abridged version of Jackson for undergraduates, and ``Classical Electrodynamics'' by Walter Greiner is a translation of Jackson's book to German, which was subsequently translated back to english. An extra resource are two volumes in the series by Landau and Lifshitz, ``The Classical Theory of Fields'' (Vol 2) and ``Electrodynamics of Continuous Media'' (Vol 8).
  8. Course Objectives
    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.
  9. Academic Integrity Policies
    The University has a formal policy on Academic Integrity, included in the Code of Student Conduct. For PY785, the implications are straightforward: your work is your own unless collaboration is explicitly authorized (or required). With regard to to homework assignments I find it acceptable (indeed desirable) to collaborate with other students in solving the homework problems, but I expect you to write up the results on your own. Handing in copies of other student's work, or of material that is available on the internet is not acceptable.
  10. Students with Disabilities NC State University is committed to providing appropriate support and accommodation to students with documented disabilities. It is, however, the student's responsibility to contact the Disability Services Office (DSO; Student Health Center; 515-7653; http://www.ncsu.edu/dso) who provide a range of services and can coordinate contact with faculty to request appropriate accommodations. The student must present documentation from DSO to a faculty member in whose class accommodations are requested. All this is normal and well-understood by faculty in Physics, where reasonable accommodations are routinely arranged.


Handouts: [Bessel expansions (nb), (nb.pdf)] [Delta fct in mutipole expansion]


News: Lectures on Aug. 30 and Sep. 1 will be given by Dr. Roland.
No lecture on September 3. (BUT: A new homework assignment will be posted on September 3.)
No lecture on September 6 (Labor Day).
First midterm announced (September 22).
Second midterm announced (November 3).
Lectures on October 18 and 20 will be given by Dr. Lee.
No lecture on October 22.
Two-week homework assignment due on October 29.
No lecture on November 5. HW9 available on-line.
Lectures on November 15 and 17 will be given by Dr. Lee.
No lecture on November 19.
Homework 10 due on November 22.




Questions? Send email to thomas_schaefer(at)ncsu_edu


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