Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Jon Bell > PHY 303 > Syllabus
Dr. Jon Bell
Office: Richardson 103A
E-mail: jbell at presby.edu
Period E (10:00 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), in Richardson 119
Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd edition), by David Griffiths.
This course is the first half of a two-course sequence in classical electromagnetism. It begins with a review of vector calculus:
and then proceeds to the study of electrostatics:
Students must have a working knowledge of introductory physics at the level of Physics 121 and 122 (General Physics). They must also be reasonably fluent in differential and integral calculus at the level of Mathematics 201 and 202 (Calculus I and II), and have some acquaintance with multivariable calculus at the level of Math 302 (Calculus IV), and with differential equations (Math 401).
The final grade in the course will be calculated as follows:
All tests and homework exercises will be included in the final grade. No "extra credit" will be assigned.
The final grade will be based on a scale of 0% to 100% as follows:
No "plus" or "minus" grades will be given (e.g. B+ or C-).
Tests will require you to solve problems similar to homework problems, at least the simpler ones. A test usually contains four or five problems; one of them may be replaced with a descriptive question that requires a short essay-type answer (a paragraph or two). You will be allowed to bring a single page of equations (one side of an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet).
The final exam will be basically like two tests; that is, eight to ten problems, possibly including one or two descriptive questions. You will be allowed to bring two pages of equations, which must be turned in with the exam.
All students must take the final exam.
The tests and the final exam will be graded on a scale of 0 to 100, as described above.
I will collect and grade homework exercises periodically. I will grade each exercise (or section of a multi-part exercise) on a four-point scale. For incomplete or incorrect solutions, I may give a provisional grade, and give you the opportunity to re-submit the solution later for a higher grade. If you turn in homework late, I will deduct one point (per exercise) during the first week, two points during the second week, etc.
If you are having difficulty with a particular exercise, and one of your classmates can't point you in the right direction, feel free to ask me for hints. However, I strongly prefer not to use regular class periods as homework help sessions; please see me outside of class. I'll be glad to arrange group sessions if desired.
Please be aware of the provisions of the Presbyterian College Honor Code, as stated in the "blue book." All material that you submit for a grade (tests, homework, etc.) must contain a pledge statement.
You must take all tests and examinations without outside assistance, including textbooks and other reference materials, unless I explicitly allow you to do otherwise. For example, I may allow you to bring a sheet of equations for reference. In particular, please do not ask me for hints or assistance on test or exam problems. I will be happy to clarify a problem statement if you don't understand what I am asking for, but that is all.
You are encouraged to help each other with homework assignments, but you must do the detailed work individually, and your work must be clearly recognizable as your own in style, format, details, etc.
If you have more than ten absences from class, I will drop you from the course with a grade of F. I will not distinguish between "excused" and "unexcused" absences in this respect. You are responsible for finding out from classmates about material that was covered, or announcements that were made in class, during your absence.
I will normally take attendance near the beginning of the class period. If you arrive after I take attendance, I may decide to credit you with a "fractional" absence.
If you miss a previously-announced test because of absence, I will normally allow you to make it up only if you are absent because of:
In such situations, you must notify me in writing (via e-mail or signed written statement) as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements for a makeup test. For anticipated absences such as field trips or athletic events, you should notify me before the absence if at all possible; for unanticipated absences you must notify me no later than the second weekday following your return to campus. Your notification must briefly summarize the reason for your absence, with documentation or at least enough information that I can verify it if I choose to do so.
I will also follow the rules described above in handling late homework.
The primary source of reading and homework assignments, timing of tests, etc., will be in-class announcements, so if you miss a class, you should check with another student or with me to make sure you find out about all assignments. I will try to keep an on-line listing up to date, but you should not rely on it completely. You are resposible for the material covered by the reading assignments, including topics and examples that we do not specifically cover in the lectures, unless I tell you to ignore certain material.
Please refer to my daily schedule for my "official" office hours. You are also welcome to try to catch me outside of office hours; I will be glad to talk to you unless I absolutely positively need to get something finished just then. If you need to see me at some particular time, I suggest that you make an appointment. Finally, please feel free to send me e-mail (jbell at presby.edu).
This document was last revised on 25 August 2008.
Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Jon Bell > PHY 303 > Syllabus
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