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PHY 217: Electricity and Magnetism I
Prof. S. Teitel stte@pas.rochester.edu ---- Fall 2016

Course Information

Instructors: See   Contact Information
Lectures: Tues. and Thurs. 12:30 - 1:45 in Gavett 312

Workshops: Wed. 4:50 - 7:30 pm in Morey 205 -- TI Greg Loges
Thur. 4:50 - 7:30 pm in Hylan 206 -- TA Josh Hinz
Textbooks: Required:  
Introduction to Electrodynamics, 4th edition by D. J. Griffiths

Also on reserve in the POA Library:
Electricity and Magnetism, 2nd edition by E.M. Purcell - very readable, somewhat lower level than the course
The Feynman Lectures v. 2 by R.P. Feynman - classic work, best read for its physical insights, after you are already a bit familiar with things
Electromagnetic Fields by R.K. Wangsness - another junior level text
Electricity and Magnetism by M.H. Nayfeh and M.K. Brussel - another junior level text
Classical Electrodynamics, 3rd edition by J.D. Jackson - the classic graduate level textbook
Classical Electromagnetism in a Nutshell by A. Garg - another graduate level textbook

Examinations:
Midterm:Tuesday, November 8, 12:30-1:45 pm in Gavett 312
Final:Monday, December 19, 7:15-10:15 pm in Gavett 312

Exams are closed book, but you will receive a copy of the formulas on the inside cover of Griffiths, and you may bring one cheat sheet consisting of one 8.5"x11" lined notebook-type page, with one line of writing per ruled line. For the midterm your cheat notes may cover only one side of one page - for the final you can use both sides of one page. The final exam will cover the entire course, but with an emphasis on material covered since the midterm.

Homework: Homework must be handed in on time (usually 4pm on Friday) to the PHY 217 homework locker that is on the first floor of BL by the entrance to the tunnels. You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with your classmates, but you must write up your solutions on your own. Late homework will be penalized at the discretion of the instructor. Homework handed in after the solutions are posted may receive a zero at the discretion of the instructor. All homework must be handed in to receive a passing grade in this course.
Grading:
Homework:40%
Midterm Exam:25%
Final Exam:35%
Syllabus: Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism, focusing mostly on electro- and magneto-static phenomena. Review of vector calculus; electrostatic field and potential; boundary value problems solved with orthogonal functions; the multipole expansion and dielectrics; the magnetic field and vector potential; magnetic materials; magnetic induction and Faraday's law (if time permits).
Academic Honesty: All assignments and activities associated with this course must be performed in accordance with the University of Rochester's Academic Honesty Policy. More information is available here.

In particular, you are encouraged to discuss and work on homework problems with your classmates, however you MUST write up your solutions independently. Homework solutions from multiple students that look essentially identical (same wording, same layout, same mistakes) will be suspect for copying and be considered a breach of academic honesty. Copying from, or otherwise making use of, previous years' homework solutions, or solutions found online, is similarly a breach of academic honesty.

Exams are closed book but you may bring one cheat sheet as discussed above. No other reference material, nor access to smart phones or tablets, will be permitted on exams. Students may not give or receive any unauthorized help on exams.