Physics 3310: Principles of E&M I
Quick information
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Lectures: |
MWF 1-150 P.M. in Duane G-140 (past the old library) |
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Professor: |
Prof. Steven Pollock |
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Duane F-1013 (10th floor of the Physics tower) (303) 492-2495 |
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steven.pollock at colorado.edu |
| Co-instructor: | Bethany.Wilcox at colorado.edu Duane F-1017 (303) 492-8759 |
| Learning assistant: | Dan.Poulson at colorado.edu |
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Web page: |
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys3310 |
| Office hrs: | Mon (TBD 4-5:30?), location TBA, probably our classroom |
An abbreviated pdf version of the syllabus can be found here.
Introduction:
Physics 3310, Principles of Electricity and Magnetism 1, is the first semester of our two-semester sequence of junior-level classical electromagnetism. It uses the tools of vector calculus for solving static and dynamic properties of electromagnetic fields. The topics we will cover include special cases of static charge distributions (electrostatics), time-independent current distributions (magnetostatics), electric and magnetic properties of matter (dielectrics and magnetic media), and, (time permitting) initial coverage of fully time-dependent problems (Maxwell's equations). We have many learning goals in this course, which include content and mathematical skill mastery, high level problem-solving skills, physical sense-making, deepened conceptual understanding, communication skills, and connection to other courses and to the real world.
For more details about course goals (both broad, and chapter by chapter), please click here.
Required Prerequisites: Calc III, Phys 2170, and Phys 2210 (Mechanics).
Required purchases:
1) J.D. Griffiths. Introduction to Electromagnetism, 3rd Edition (Prentice Hall; New Jersey; 1999). (4th edition is ok too, 2nd edition would work in a pinch)
Pedagogically excellent, this is my favorite undergrad textbook of them all!
2)iClickers , available at the bookstore, will be used every lecture. (See web for details)
There will be copies of Griffiths on reserve at Gemmill Library along with several other good texts including the "Feynman Lectures in Physics", "Electromagnetism" (Pollack and Stump), and “A student’s Guide to Maxwell’s Equations” (Daniel Fleisch)
Click here for more details about these and other optional textbooks
Reading is an essential part of 3310! Reading the text before class is very important. Lecture is to clarify your understanding, to help you make sense of the material. I will assume you have done the required readings in advance! Griffiths is one of the best (and most readable) texts I know of - it will make a huge difference if you spend the time and effort to carefully read and follow the text.
Classroom Etiquette: Please turn off all cell phones and pagers when entering any classroom. Please do not throw vegetables at the instructor. Private chatter during lecture is very distracting, but it is perfectly OK to interrupt the lecture by yelling “Question!” Questions in lecture are always good, and are strongly encouraged! (If you're interested in CU policies on classroom behaviour, click here and here.)
Homework: there will be a homework due every Wed at the start of class. Late homework can't be accepted once solutions are posted - but, your lowest score will be dropped. Homework is exceedingly important for developing an understanding of the course material, not to mention building skills in complex physical and mathematical problem solving. They will require considerable time and personal effort this term
Online homework ("preflights"): due every week (though the day may vary – see web!) This is much quicker (and lower stress) than written homeworks. It may involve working through a derivation, or solving a puzzler to set up for a new topic. It also gives you a chance to provide feedback and ask questions. It is graded only on effort/participation, not on correctness. We’ll drop one or two of these. (We’ll have other participation activities for extra credit – stay tuned).
I strongly encourage collaboration, an essential skill in science and engineering (and highly valued by employers!) Social interactions are critical to scientists' success - most good ideas grow out of discussions with colleagues, and essentially all physicists work as part of a group. Find partners and work on homework together. However, it is also important that you OWN the material. I strongly suggest you start homework by yourself (and that means really making an extended effort on every problem) Then work with a group, and finally, finish up on your own - write up your own work, in your own way. There will also be time for peer discussion during classes - as you work together, try to help your partners get over confusions, listen to them, ask each other questions, critique, teach each other. You will learn a lot this way!
Note: While collaboration is the rule in technical work, evaluations of individuals also play an important role. Exams will be done without help from others. For all assignments, the work you turn in must in the end be your own: in your own words, reflecting your own understanding.
(If, at any time, for any reason, you feel disadvantaged or isolated, contact me and I can discretely try to help arrange study groups.)
Help Sessions: (Times listed at the top of the syllabus) Help sessions/office hours are to facilitate your learning. Please come - plan on working in small groups, our role will be as learning coaches. Fri sessions may involve special problems and activities designed to help you understand current material, and set you up for the upcoming homework. Mon/Tues sessions may be more homework-centric, but we will not be explicitly telling anyone how to do the homework (how would that help you learn?) I strongly encourage you to start all problems on your own. If you come to help sessions "cold", the value of homework to you will be greatly reduced.
Grading and exams:Your course grade is largely determined by a combination of your performance on exams and homework. There will be some extra credit for in-class and online participation (which basically "unweights" the exams - see web for more details.)
| Exam 1 | Th Feb 28, 7:30-9:15 | Location TBA |
16% of course grade |
Exam 2 |
Th Apr 4, 7:30-9:15 PM |
same details as Ex 1 |
18% |
Final Exam |
Wed May 8, 7:30-10 PM |
location TBA |
30% |
| Preflights | Due at 10 AM, variable days | (See web, these happen every week!) | 6% |
Homework |
Due Wed at start of class |
(Every week) |
30% |
Clickers and online participation: These are pure extra credit: they REDUCE midterm weights up to 15% of midterm total (i.e. 5% of your grade)
See the grade
info page for details!
Exams: There are no makeups. You may not miss any exam except for reasons beyond your control, approved by Prof. Pollock (usually a confirmed medical problem with written documentation.)In the unusual case of an (at most, single) excused absence from midterms, I'll use an average of your other exams. You may bring one side of a single sheet of 8.5 in. x 11 in. paper for each exam, with your own handwritten notes. Calculators with scientific notation are allowed and sometimes needed. More details will be announced at the time of the midterm- see web.
Disabilities: Students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities, please let me know early in the semester (first two weeks) so that your academic needs may be appropriately met. You'll need to provide documentation to Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (303-492-8671), or www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
Religious Observances: We will make a strong effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please send an e-mail to me in the first week of classes if you anticipate a conflict. See campus policy here.
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment: The CU policies on Discrimination and Harassment, Sexual Harassment, or Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Anyone who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about campus resources available to assist you regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained here.
Honor Code: I trust every individual in this class to understand and follow the CU honor code. Please respect that trust! In return, I will strive to do my best to make the class valuable and worthy of your honorable behaviour! (The honor code at CU is really very cool, although the CU official wording about it is a little tough: Violations of the honor code may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion).
Important comment on expectations: Physics 3310 covers material you have seen before (Many of the topics stem from Phys 1120 material) but at a higher level of conceptual and mathematical sophistication. Therefore you should expect:
Physics 3310 is a challenging, upper-division physics course. Unlike more introductory courses, you are fully responsible for your own learning. In particular, you control the pace of the course by asking questions in class. I tend to speak quickly, and questions are important to slow down the lecture. This means that if you don’t understand something, it is your responsibility to ask questions. Attending class and the homework help sessions gives you an opportunity to ask questions. I am here to help you as much as possible, but I need your questions to know what you don’t understand.
Physics 3310 covers some of the most important physics and mathematical methods in the field. Your reward for the hard work and effort will be learning important and elegant material that you will use over and over as a physics major. Here is what I have experienced, and heard from other faculty teaching upper division physics in the past:
The course topics that we will cover in Physics 3310 are among the greatest intellectual achievements of humans. Don’t be surprised if you have to think hard and work hard to master the material. But, the payoff is high!
How to succeed in this course: You can perform very well in this class if you follow this time-tested system:
1. Read the text sections before lecture. If you read first, it’ll sink in faster during lecture.
2. Take detailed notes on your reading and write down questions so you can ask them in class.
3. Come to class and stay involved. Come to office hours with questions.
4. Start the homework early. Give yourself time to work and understand. No one is smart enough to do the homework in the last hours before class, and no one is smart enough to learn the material without working problems.
5. Work together. Do your own thinking, but talking to others is a great way to get unstuck.
6. Don’t get behind. It’s very hard to catch up.
Disclaimer: Announcements about changes of any kind to the syllabus will be made in class, and (usually) posted on the web, and will take precedence over this version. You are responsible for what is said in class, whether or not you are in attendance