IU Physics P331
Theory of Electricity and Magnetism, Fall 2005
Course Information
Course Overview

P331 is the first semester of a two-course sequence in the theory of electricity and magnetism. We will study electrostatics and magnetostatics in vacuum and in matter, electromagnetic induction, and then put it all together into Maxwell's equations. There will be some review of the mathematics at the beginning of the course and as we go along, as needed.

P332 will continue with a treatment of time-dependent electromagnetic fields, including radiation and will integrate relativity.

Instructor Rex Tayloe
Swain West 207/IUCF 113B
856-4320/855-3057
email:rtayloe@indiana.edu
Office Hours: (in SW207)
M: 9-10am and 11-12noon
W: 5-6pm
F: 9-10am
and by appntmnt (send email)
www site This information as well as the syllabus and announcements will be posted at:
http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~p331f05
Schedule MWF 10:10A-11:00A in Swain West 219
Prerequisites
  • Physics P222
  • Math M312
Schedule Changes The last date by which a student may withdraw from the course with an automatic W grade is Wednesday, October 26.
Textbook Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd Ed. David Griffiths, "Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd Ed." , Prentice Hall, 1999.

This book gives a clear and concise treatment of E&M and offers many intuitive explanations. We will (more-or-less) cover the first half of the book in P331 and the second half (of this same book) in P332.

Read the material before it is discussed in class. Reread it again after and while doing the homework.

Other books will be kept on reserve:

  • Foundations of electromagnetic theory , J. R. Reitz, F. J. Milford, R. W. Christy, 3rd ed, 1979. (QC670.R4)
  • Electromagnetic Fields and Waves , P. Lorrain and D. Carson. (QC670.C826)
  • Classical Electricity and Magnetism , W.K.H. Panofsky and M. Phillips. (QC518.P19)
  • Basic Electromagnetism , E.W. Cowan. (QC760.C874)
  • Div, grad, curl, and all that : an informal text on vector calculus , H.M. Schey, 3rd ed, 1997. (QA433.S28)
Course Grade Your course grade will be based these items and weighted as indicated:
  • Three in-class exams - 45%
  • Final exam - 20%
  • Homework - 35%
Details of each are offered below. Grades will be posted on Oncourse (http://oncourse.iu.edu).
In-class exams Three in-class exams will be given on dates as listed in the syllabus. These will consist of problems similar to those assigned for homework. Makeup exams will not be given and an absence from an exam can be excused for a documented medical reason only. Each of the 3 exams will count as 15% of the final grade for a total of 45% from in-class exams.
Final exam The final exam will be given at the assigned final exam time during finals week. It will consist of comprehensive material as well as topics covered after the third in-class exam. The policies for the final are the same as for the in-class exams. The final exam will count as 20% of the course grade.
Homework It is very important to reinforce the concepts learned in class by working quantitative problems. Toward this goal, homework problems, drawn mainly from the book, will be assigned and graded. The assignments will be posted on the syllabus at least a week in advance of the due date. There will be 11 assignments - one each week, except for weeks with exams. The graded homework assignments will count as 35% of the course grade.

Homework will be due by 5pm on the day that is it due (see the syllabus for due dates). Hand the assignment in during class on that day, or put in our class drop box. Our HW drop box is a slot in the gray box in the hall outside SW132. Be sure to use the slot labeled "P331".

You are welcome and encouraged to work with your classmates on the homework assignments. However, the work that you turn in must be your own. Be sure to show your work. Generous partial credit will be given for work even if the final answer is incorrect. Similarly, little credit (if any) will be given for a one-line answer. If you give generous time to the homework each week, you will understand the material well.

Rex Tayloe
Last modified: Tue Nov 8 20:38:02 EST 2005