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.
Lecture:
MWF 9:10-10:00, RID 314
Instructor: T. Schaefer, Office RID 400F
email: Thomas_Schaefer[at]ncsu.edu
Office hours: MW. 3:00-4:00 and by appointment.
Teaching Assistant: TBA
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 9:10am. No late homework will be accepted. The
lowest homework score will be dropped.
Exams
There will be two midterm exams and a final.
Grade
Your final grade will be determined by weighting the various
portions of the course as follows:
Midterms: 30%, Final: 40%, Homework: 30%
Textbook
(required) Classical Electrodynamics (Third Edition),
John David Jackson. This is really the only book you need. If you
absolutely think you need to consult another text book: ``Introduction
to Electrodynamics'' by David J. Griffiths is an abridged version of
Jackson for undergradutes, and ``Classical Electrodynamics'' by Walter
Greiner is (basically) 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).
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.
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.
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.
Midterm Exam 1: September 19, 9:10-10:00
[solution]
The exam is closed book (no notes). You can bring an index card
with formulas.
Material: Jackson 1,2.1-2.7 (HW1-HW4). This includes Coulomb's law,
Gauss' law, energy and capacitance, Green functions, image charges.
Midterm Exam 2: November 2, 9:10-10:00
[solution]
The exam is closed book (no notes). You can bring two index cards
with formulas.
Material: Jackson 1.1-4.2 (HW1-HW9). This includes Coulomb's law,
Gauss' law, Green functions, multipoles, and solutions of
Laplace equation by separation of variables.
[practice test,
solution]
Final: Monday, December 12, 8:00-11:00.
The eaxm is closed book (no notes). You can bring the two index
cards prepared for the two midterms, plus a third one. Material:
Jackson 1.1-5.12 (and 5.16). Here is a quick summary of things
I expect you to know (basics). This
is last years final
and solutions.
Qualifying Exam: Friday, January 6
The rules will be the same as in the PY785 final (you can bring
your index cards, the things you should
know still apply). This is the EM section of last years
qualifying exam:
em problems.