PHYS 610 is designed to teach mathematical concepts and methods that are useful in physics in general, and in the theory of classical electromagnetism in particular. Successful completion of the first quarter will result in knowledge of simple algebraic structures that frequently appear in physics, and of basic concepts and methods in analysis. PHYS 622 covers basic notions and simple applications of classical electrodynamics. Successful completion of the second quarter will result in knowledge of Maxwell's equations as well as their static and simple dynamic solutions.
The two quarters will be taught as one contiguous course; if you contemplate taking 622 without having taken 610 please talk to me first.
Books that I have consulted in preparing the lecture notes are listed in the bibliography section of the lecture notes . They are NOT required, and my lectures are designed to be self-contained. They all are excellent reference texts, but make sure you really like a book before you buy it. If you find some other books more useful for background reading or reference, by all means use those.
Homework will count for 20% of the grade. Your grade will thus be mostly based on the exams, but it will be next to impossible to do well on the exams unless you have spent a lot of time and effort on the homework problems. If your performance on the final is better than on the midterm, the midterm will not count and the final will count 80%. If your performance on the midterm is better than on the final, the midterm will count for 30% of the grade and the final for 50%.
Don't be fooled by the 20% weight given to the homework. The homework problems are an integral part of the course, and spending substantial time on the homework will be essential for understanding the material discussed in class. One can learn very little by just reading a book, or listening to lectures, so make sure you allow adequate time for doing the homework problems. Also, doing well on the exam will be next to impossible without a thorough understanding of the homework problems.
Note: Of course I know that the solutions to most of my homework problems can be found on the web. Find and look at them at your own peril.
Collaborating on the homework is okay, and even encouraged. You should make sure, however, that you really understand the material yourself rather than just tagging along.
#1: 10/01/2025, due 10/08/2025. Problems I.1.1, I.1.2, I.1.3, I.1.4.
Solutions: I.1.1 ,
I.1.2 ,
I.1.3 ,
I.1.4
#2: 10/08/2025, due 10/15/2025. Problems I.1.5, I.1.6, I.1.7, I.2.1.
Solutions: I.1.5 ,
I.1.6 ,
I.1.7 ,
I.2.1
#3: 10/15/2025, due 10/22/2025. Problems I.2.3, I.2.4, I.3.1, I.4.1
#4: 10/22/2025, due 10/29/2025. Problems I.4.2, I.4.4, I.4.5, I.4.6
#5: 10/29/2025, due 11/05/2025. Problems tba in lieu of the Midterm Exam