Physics 315
Electrodynamics
Fall 2008
General Course Policies and Information

Quick links to:

 

Content	Structure	Grading
Policies	315 Home Page

Instructor:

Dr. Mark Gealy
Office: Ivers 134G, 299-3391
e-mail: gealy@cord.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

Required Materials:

Introduction to Electrodynamics, by David J. Griffiths, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall Publishing, 1999

Math Reference Handbook: I suggest Schaum's Outline Mathematical Handbook, Murray J. Spiegel, McGraw-Hill, 1996. It's inexpensive, accessible and easy to use. Another good one (larger) is the CRC Standard Mathematical Tables and Formulae. Either of these will be a valuable reference for this and many other technical classes you are likely to take. If you already own some other math handbook, bring it to the instructor for approval.

Course Objectives:

-to review the concepts of classical electromagnetism
-to learn new mathematical techniques aiding in the application of these principles to real problems
-to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills
-to improve analytical and numerical problem solving skills
-to communicate scientific information clearly in writing

Course Content:

• Introduction/Review of Vector Calculus
• Fields and Potentials of Static Charges
• Solutions to Laplace's Equation: Boundary Value Problems
• Fields in Dielectric Media
• Magnetic Fields of Steady Currents
• Magnetic Materials
• Faraday/Lenz Law
• Electrodynamics: Maxwell's Equations
• Electromagnetic Waves
• Potentials and Fields
• Electromagnetic Radiation

Course Structure:

The class meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:50am - 1:00pm . The class time will consist of a mixture of lecture, discussion and occasional demonstrations. The class meetings will require active participation by all and this is only possible if you have prepared for class.

Each Wednesday, beginning September 3rd we will have an optional recitation/problem solving session from  6:00 -7:00 PM . You may consider this to be an extension of instructor's office hours for this class only. You must be as prepared as is reasonably possible for these sessions. For problems dealing with material that has been discussed in class prior to that day, a student will begin the discussion by describing what s/he has done with it so far. This rule is in place to ensure that we don't discuss problems that no one has started working.

Course Grading:

The final grade will be based on the following distribution of work:

Unit exams (3) 14% each
"Exam" assembled from unassisted homework problems 14%
Homework 40%
Attendance/Participation 4%

Exams

There will be three unit exams taken in class during the semester.  Two of these exams will include one take-home problem that will be due the following class day. The last of these exams will be held on the day scheduled for our final. The 'final' will be a bit longer, but will count the same because there will be no 'take home' component to it. Each exam will be cumulative only to the extent that the material itself is.

About every other week or so you will work a problem on which you will be unable to collaborate with others (including the instructor, except to request clarification). These unassisted problems will collectively constitute a fourth exam for the course.

The exam dates are:
Exam 1:  Monday, October 6, 2008
    Take-home problem due Wednesday, October 8
Exam 2:  Monday, November 10, 2008
    Take-home problem due Wednesday, November 12
Exam 3: Monday, December 15, 2008, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Homework

You will turn in weekly homework assignments.  Assignments are ordinarily due at 4:00pm. Late work will not be accepted so if you have not completed an assignment, be sure to turn in as much as you have and you will get credit for what you have done.  The lowest homework score will be dropped.

Doing the homework well is vital to your learning at this level.  Homework problems will command the vast majority of the time you spend in the course.  All homework solutions must be presented beginning with a statement of the problem.  Present your solutions legibly and to the extent possible, in the order the problems are assigned.

While you are encouraged to work together to complete the homework, each student must submit her or his own work and not simply copy another paper. Students submitting papers bearing too much similarity will be charged with plagiarism. The result will be a failing grade for both involved parties.

Policies:

Cellular telephones must be turned off and stowed away for the duration of all class and laboratory meeting times.  Electronic calculators of any sort may be used for homework.  During exams, however, only calculators capable of basic mathematical operations are allowed.  Devices with alpha-numeric and program capabilities are prohibited.  Calculators may not be shared among students taking an exam. Unless directly prohibited, you are welcome to use Mathematica for assistance with homework problems. You must document each session by attaching a printout of your (successful) inputs and outputs. Results attributed to Mathematica without such documentation will lack 'shown work'.

No late work will be accepted.  If you know in advance that you will be absent for any reason (including college related activities), it is your responsibility to notify the instructor and turn in all assignments by the due date.  In the case of an extended illness or emergency, notify the instructor as soon as possible so appropriate arrangements can be made.

It is critically important to take each exam at the time it is scheduled.  If you have a scheduled conflict with any of the exam dates listed, you must notify the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.  If the conflict cannot be resolved, then your 'make-up' test must be taken before the other students take the same test.  This merely requires that your missed work be made up prior to your departure.

A grade of incomplete will only be given in case of serious illness or extended emergency and must be discussed with the instructor as soon as possible. An incomplete will not be given as a substitute for dropping the course.

Every effort will be made to score exams and assignments fairly and consistently. Any request for re-grading must be made in writing within one week of the time the work was handed back. The original, unmodified, document must accompany the request.

Academic Integrity:

You should remember that ConcordiaCollege is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Cheating (stealing answers on an exam), plagiarism (representing someone else's work as your own), and "dry-labbing" (falsification of data on a lab write-up) are very easy to detect. In this course, you are strongly encouraged to work together on homework assignments. Therefore, cheating is defined as copying or using any part of another person's work and turning it in as if it were your own. Discussing exams with anyone whose paper has not yet been turned in is vehemently prohibited. If you have any questions about whether an action would be considered inappropriate, please discuss it with the professor in advance. If you are in doubt about what is a violation, please refer to the handbook, Academic Integrity at ConcordiaCollege.

Every violation of academic integrity is taken very seriously. Any act of academic dishonesty will result in at least zero points for the assignment or exam in question, which will not be dropped as the lowest score when calculating a final grade. The instructor reserves the right to fail a student for the course who cheats regardless of the importance of the assignment or exam in the determination of the final grade. All violations of academic integrity will be referred to the Academic Dean for disciplinary
action who may impose additional penalties, including course failure, suspension, or dismissal from the college;

As stated in the Academic Integrity handbook, "When we permit or facilitate the dishonesty of others, we too are guilty of an equally serious violation." To this end, you are expected to behave as a partner in creating and maintaining an honest academic community. Failing to report integrity violations is itself a violation of academic integrity and will be treated as such. All concerns about academic integrity will be treated confidentially.