The University of Iowa
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Physics and Astronomy


                                            29::213 Classical Electrodynamics
                           
                                                             Fall  Semester 2010

Instructor: Prof. Yannick Meurice

Instructor

Prof. Yannick Meurice

Prerequisites

The students taking 29:213 are assumed to be familiar with classical electrodynamics at an undergraduate level, in particular with Maxwell's equations, basic vector calculus (e.g. as presented in the textbook of D. Griffiths "Introduction to Electrodynamics") and rudiments of special functions.

Textbooks

The main textbooks are Landau and Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fileds, 4th Revised English Edition (LL hereafter) and  J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics; 3rd Edition, Wiley (JDJ hereafter).

Course Content

This is the first part of a two semester course. I will follow the Landau and Lifshitz sequence which starts with
special relativity and the motion of charged particles in an external electromagnetic field. The advantage of this approach is that the beginning of the course is connected to classical mechanics (29:205), a class taken by many incoming students. Also, students who are not very familiar with the special functions used in boundary value problems (chapters 2 and 3 in Jackson) have the possibility to learn more about them for instance by taking Mathematical Methods of Physics I (29:172)  before these topics are discussed in 29:213 (probably in November).  

More specifically, the first semester will have 4 parts:
1. Special Relativity (LL 1 and 2; JDJ 11)
2. Particles in EM fields (LL 3 and JDJ 12)
3. Maxwell's equations (LL 4 and JDJ 6)
4. Electrostatics and boundary values problems (LL 5 and JDJ 1-4)



Homework
Problem solving is an important part of the course and typically an amount of work larger than the amount for an average undergraduate course (2 hours of work for one hour in the classroom) will be necessary. 
Reading assignments and  problem sets will be provided each Wednesday. They will be posted at http://www-hep.physics.uiowa.edu/~meurice/ced10/todo10.html.  These assignments must be completed individually (see note on plagiarism below).  They are due on the Tuesday after they are assigned. No late work. The two worse  homework grades will be droped from the average. 

Examinations and Final Grade

The final grade will be based on the homework assignments (30 percent), two midterms (40 percent) and a final (30 percent).   The final will be on  Friday, December 17, 2010  at 9:45 A.M.   (see final exam schedule).
The dates for the midterms are 10/13 and 12/1. 

Class Attendance

Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended.
You are strongly encouraged to ask questions during the lectures. There are no ``stupid questions''.


DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY MAIN OFFICE


The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Policies and Procedures

Administrative Home
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to 120 Schaeffer Hall or see the CLAS Academic Handbook.

[www.clas.uiowa.edu/students/

academic_handbook/index.shtml]

Electronic Communication
University policy specifies that students are responsible for all official correspondences sent to their standard University of Iowa e-mail address (@uiowa.edu). Students should check their account frequently. (Operations Manual, III.II.15. 2. k.11.)

Academic Fraud
Plagiarism and any other activities when students present work that is not their own are academic fraud and are considered by the College to be a very serious matter. Academic fraud is reported by the instructor to the departmental DEO who enforces the departmental consequences. The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum is also informed. The Associate Dean enforces collegiate consequences which may included suspension or expulsion. See the CLAS Academic Handbook.

Making a Suggestion or a Complaint
Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit the instructor, then the course supervisor and the departmental Associate chair. Paul Kleiber. Complaints must be made within six months of the incident. See the CLAS Academic Handbook.  

Accommodations for Disabilities
A student seeking academic accommodations should register with Student Disability Services and meet privately with the course instructor to make particular arrangements. For more information, visit this site.
[www.uiowa.edu/~sds/]]

Understanding Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. All members of the UI community have a responsibility to uphold this mission and to contribute to a safe environment that enhances learning. Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported immediately. See the UI Comprehensive Guide on Sexual Harassment at www.uiowa.edu/~eod/policies/sexual-harassment-guide/index.html for assistance, definitions, and the full University policy.

Reacting Safely to Severe Weather
In severe weather, the class members should seek shelter in the innermost part of the building, if possible at the lowest level, staying clear of windows and free-standing expanses. The class will continue if possible when the event is over. (Operations Manual, IV. 16.14. Scroll down to sections e and i for severe weather information.)

*The CLAS policy statements have been summarized from the web pages of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.