Download PHY 330: Electricity and Magnetism - Fall 2014

PHY 330: Electricity and Magnetism - Fall 2014
I have also a paper afloat, with an electromagnetic theory of light which, till I am convinced of the
contrary, I hold to be great guns. – James Clerk Maxwell, 1865, in a letter to C. H. Cay
Instructor:
James Puckett
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
x6026
Office:
Masters 207
Office Hours: M 1:30-3:30pm, H 1:00-2:00pm
Course Goals:
• Build on conceptual understanding established in Physics 211, employ classical field theory
to describe how electric and magnetic fields mediate the interaction of charged objects.
• Investigate models of electric and magnetic fields in matter utilizing a conceptual framework
with atomic/molecular dipoles contributing to the elementary material response.
• Develop an appreciation for the power and elegance of symmetry in the unified electromagnetic
theory expressed by Maxwell’s Laws.
• Practice articulating complex notions of electromagnetic theory via written and oral explications of solutions to assigned homework problems, with collaborative learning strongly encouraged. The instructor will model these communications by solving additional problems
from the text during the class hour, with input elicited from the class.
Required course materials:
Textbook: Introduction to Electrodynamics, D.J. Griffiths, (4th )
ISBN: 978-0321856562
Calculator:
scientific calculator, not a graphing calculator or cell phone
Final: 12/16 at 8:30-11:30am
Grading:
Homework
30%
Exams
45%
Final Exam
25%
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Office Hours: I expect that I will be in my office quite a bit during the semester, and you are
free to ask me questions whenever you see me. My official office hours here: M 1:30-3:30pm and
H 1-2pm. I do ask that you use office hours unless you have another class during these times. For
any meetings outside of office hours, I might ask you to come back later. To be sure I’m available
make an appointment so I know you’re coming and I’m not busy with anything else.
Flexibility:
Any aspects of the course, schedule, or basis for evaluation may be changed by the instructor
if such a change would appear to contribute better to the accomplishment of the objectives of the
course for the particular students enrolled. Students will be appropriately notified of changes.
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Homework:
Homework will be assigned weekly and will normally be due on Friday. All assignments are
posted on Moodle. You are graded on the completeness, correctness and clarity of work. Weekly
assignments will consist of around 10 problems, with a mixture of easy to more challenging problems.
Each problem is graded on a 5-point scale for completeness (2), correctness (2) and clear (1). The
remaining point is given for plausibility.
Completeness
Correctness
Clarity
2 - all parts present and complete
2 - no modeling / algebraic errors
1 - model / reasoning clear
1 - some parts incomplete
1 - minor errors only
0 - model unclear
0 - little meaningful work done
0 - major errors, or not plausible
Most of the time, homework assignments will focus on material previously covered in class.
There will be occasions where you must practice your ability to self-learn. This means attempting
a problem based on what you have read in the text. Homework must be submitted in pencil, blue
or black ink.
Homework Indulgences:
If you cannot attend class the day the homework is due, you may turn in your homework to
my mailbox in the Physics office before the end of class. I will also give you ONE opportunity per
semester to make up a late homework set. Otherwise, I will not take late work. I will consider
further indulgences only if you have serious and excused medical or family problems.
Solutions to the HW will be posted on Moodle on the Thursday following the due date. You are
expected to work through these solutions, be critical of your own work, and ask questions about
anything you don’t understand.
I will also give you ONE problem which can be re-worked to earn back points. These corrections
will be due on the following Wednesday.
Collaboration is allowed on the homework, but the final work must be your own. As a member
of the Gettysburg College community you are expected to heed the Honor Code at all times. Refer
to the section on academic misconduct. For legitimate absences contact me as soon as possible
regarding HW, but basically if you know you’ll be gone on the due date you’ll need to hand it in
ahead of time.
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Academic Misconduct and the Honor Code in Action:
On all assignments that you submit for a grade, you are expected to acknowledge the honor
pledge:
I affirm that I have upheld the highest principles of honesty and integrity in my academic work
and have not witnessed a violation of the Honor Code.
I do expect that you will write out and sign the above statement of academic honor on all
work turned in for a grade but it is not an explicit requirement of our honor system. The honor
code is always implied and enforced with all coursework that counts toward your grade. You
can find information regarding academic misconduct and the honor code at the following site www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/college_life/srr/student_handbook/index.dot
I encourage you to work with your fellow students, but be aware that this collaboration does
not become academic misconduct. You should be able to do all of your work using only your text
and class notes. On all assignments that you submit for a grade, you are expected to acknowledge
the honor pledge: I affirm that I have upheld the highest principles of honesty and integrity in my
academic work and have not witnessed a violation of the Honor Code.
http://www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/provost/advising/honor_code/index.dot
Our mission at this college reaches beyond your performance in this course. As a community
we take breaches of honesty and integrity very seriously. Penalties for violating the Honor Code
are stiff, particularly for students who do not take responsibility for their actions. If you are at
all unsure of what constitutes academic dishonesty in this course, or you find yourself, or witness
someone else, in a situation that you suspect falls into this category please let me know in person
or via e-mail.
Accommodation for Disabilities:
The Office of Academic Advising provides all students the opportunity to complete a Disability
Self-Disclosure Form. Appropriate and timely disclosure is necessary to ensure reasonable accommodation. If you have a physical or learning disability you must contact the Office of Academic
Advising and secure the appropriate documentation. You must also contact me in the first week of
classes about this disclosure so that we can plan accordingly. Please keep in mind that I need to
have your disclosure and paperwork WELL before the first exam in order to accommodate you.
http://www.gettysburg.edu/disabilityservices/
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