Course Syllabus

 

Instructor: Prof. Amlan Biswas

Contact Information:

• Email Address: amlan@ufl.edu (all email communication related to the course will be through canvas)
  
• Office: NPB 2255
• Office Phone Number: 352 392 8592

Class hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 8, 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm

Location of classes: NPB 1002 

Tech support: If you have a technical issue with Canvas, please consult UF IT Help immediately (352-392-HELP / 352-392-4357)

Office hours: Monday, period 4, 10:40 am to 11:30 am: Wednesday, Friday, period 9, 4:05 pm - 4:55 pm.

Textbook: The required text is Introduction to Electrodynamics by D. J. Griffiths (Cambridge University Press) ISBN: 9781108420419.

Prereq: PHY 2049 or equivalent

Coreq: MAP 2302 or equivalent

Synopsis: First part of the PHY 3323/4324 sequence in electromagnetism. Course covers static electric and magnetic fields, and Maxwell's equations. We will cover Chapters 1-6 of the textbook, with supplemental materials to be posted on this website. Topics to be covered include: Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Laplace's equation, uniqueness theorem, linear dielectrics, vector potential, linear magnetic media. 

Course objectives: To obtain a thorough understanding of electrostatic and magnetic interactions with detailed mathematical treatment. The mathematical methods used in this course will also be useful in courses on quantum mechanics. Applications to modern technology will be emphasized along with a historical perspective.

Student Learning Outcomes: The laws of physics are the starting point for most scientific research and engineering applications. Students taking this course obtain broad-based knowledge and experience applying these laws. Many students go on to graduate study in physics, and a considerable number pursue advanced degrees in other science disciplines, all branches of engineering and medical school. The learning outcomes students can expect to acquire through successful completion of the course are listed below along with the assignments through which the outcomes will be assessed.

Content:

• Identify, define and describe a core fields of physics i.e. electromagnetism (Lectures, textbook)
• Formulate empirically-testable hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes, and apply logical reasoning skills (Homeworks, Quizzes, and Exams)

Critical Thinking:

• Formulate, solve problems and draw conclusions from data. (Extra credit programming projects)

Communication:

• Effectively and clearly communicate ideas in speech and in writing in an accepted style. (In-class discussions)

Grading policy:

Homework and in-class quizzes: There will be nine graded homework assignments during the semester. A reasonable attempt at a homework problem will be given full credit and partial solutions to the problems will be made available along with the homework. The homeworks will also be discussed in class (or extra zoom office hours) and will be worth a total of 5% of the course grade.

About one of two weeks after the homework is assigned, there will be a short (~20 minutes) in-class quiz based on that homework. There will be a total of 6 such quizzes (Q1 to Q6) and the minimum score will be dropped. Each quiz will be worth 7% of the course grade for a total of 35% of the course grade. The problems will usually be multiple choice but partial credit will be given if the calculations shown are partially correct. Also, if your work for the quiz does not show how you arrived at the correct answer, then no points will be given even if you have selected the correct answer in the multiple choice. See course schedule for homework and quiz dates. You can have your own work for the corresponding homework assignment during the quiz.

Mid-term exams: There will be two mid-term exams of 50 minutes duration, scheduled for October 1 and November 12 Each of these exams will be worth 16% of the total grade. Hence the mid-term exams will constitute 32% of the total grade. The mid-term exams will be based on the homeworks assigned in the previous weeks and the quizzes. The exams will be open notes (total of two sheets front and back (4 pages)).

ALC test: The ALC is a field test on selected topics created by faculty in the department. The student scores are used for review of the physics program. The EM 1 ALC test will consist of 15 multiple choice questions on various topics expected to be covered in a mechanics course. The test will be given during class on December 1, 2025 with a time limit of 50 minutes (3:00 pm to 3:50 pm). This test will be worth 3% of the total grade.

Final exam: There will be a 120 minutes, cumulative final exam on December 12 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Open notes (total of four sheets front and back (8 pages)).  The final exam will be worth 25% of the total grade.

Extra credit programming project: There will be a programming project worth 2 extra credits. The project will be based on concepts and techniques learned during the semester. Basic python techniques will be discussed in class or in the assigned homeworks.

Make-ups: Make-up tests and quizzes will be given if a situation satisfies the make-up policy (see below).

Grade calculation:

Homework	5% (11 homeworks)
2 mid-term tests	32% (16% each)
Best 5 of 6 quizzes	35% (7% each)
ALC test	3%
2 extra credits (programming project)	2%
Final exam	25%

 

Letter Grade	Percent Score $$$$
A	$$$\mathrm{}$
A-	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
B+	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
B	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
B-	$$ $\ge$$\mathrm{}$$\mathrm{}$
C+	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$$$\mathrm{}$
C	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$$$\mathrm{}$
C-	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$$$\mathrm{}$
D+	$$$$$\mathrm{}$$$$\mathrm{}$
D	$$ $\ge$$\mathrm{}$
D-	$$$$$\mathrm{}$
E	$$$\mathrm{}$

The percent score ranges may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors, but will not be raised. The course grades are not curved. Link to UF grading policy.

Attendance and make up assignments/tests: Regular attendance is expected but not enforced. In class quizzes are announced in advance. Make up quizzes/exams will be given for valid excused absences. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies. Excused absences must be consistent with university policies and require appropriate documentation.  Click here to read the university attendance policies.

Holidays (no classes): Labor Day (September 1), Homecoming (October 17), Thanksgiving (November 24, 26, and 28)

Course evaluations: Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Click here for guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students here.

Accommodations: Students with disabilities who experience learning barriers and would like to request academic accommodations should connect with the Disability Resource Center. See the “Get Started With the DRC” webpage on the Disability Resource Center site. It is important for students to share their accommodation letter with their instructor and discuss their access needs, as early as possible in the semester.

Academic Honesty: UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Conduct Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. See the UF Conduct Code website for more information. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

Link to UF syllabus policies: https://go.ufl.edu/syllabuspolicies.

Course Schedule:

Date	Day	Chapter	Topic	Exam/Quiz due	Homework Assigned
8/21	Thursday
8/22	Friday	1.2	Introduction, Gradient		HW1
8/23	Saturday
8/24	Sunday
8/25	Monday	1.2, 1.3, 1.4	Gradient, divergence, and curl
8/26	Tuesday
8/27	Wednesday	1.5	The delta function, Spherical and cylindrical coordinates
8/28	Thursday
8/29	Friday	2.1, 2.2	Spherical and cylindrical coordinates, Coulomb's law	Q1 (HW1)	HW2
8/30	Saturday
8/31	Sunday
9/1	Monday		Labor day (no classes)
9/2	Tuesday
9/3	Wednesday	2.2	Divergence and Curl continued, Coulomb's law, Gauss's law
9/4	Thursday
9/5	Friday	2.2, 2.3	Gauss's law, Potential
9/6	Saturday
9/7	Sunday
9/8	Monday	2.2, 2.3	Gauss's law, Potential		HW3
9/9	Tuesday
9/10	Wednesday	2.3	Potential	Q2 (HW2)
9/11	Thursday
9/12	Friday	2.4	Work, Energy
9/13	Saturday
9/14	Sunday
9/15	Monday	2.4, 2.5	Work, Energy, Conductors
9/16	Tuesday
9/17	Wednesday	2.5	Conductors
9/18	Thursday				HW4
9/19	Friday	3.1	Laplace equation solutions, Mean value theorem
9/20	Saturday
9/21	Sunday
9/22	Monday	3.1	Uniqueness theorems
9/23	Tuesday
9/24	Wednesday	3.2	Method of images	Q3 (HW3,4)	HW5
9/25	Thursday
9/26	Friday	3.2, 3.3	Method of images, Solutions of Laplace's equation
9/27	Saturday
9/28	Sunday
9/29	Monday	3.3	Solutions of Laplace's equation
9/29	Monday		Review 1
9/30	Tuesday
10/1	Wednesday			Exam 1
10/2	Thursday
10/3	Friday	3.3, 3.4	Solutions of Laplace's equation, Multipole expansion
10/4	Saturday
10/5	Sunday
10/6	Monday	3.3, 3.4	Solutions of Laplace's equation, Multipole expansion
10/7	Tuesday
10/8	Wednesday	4.1, 4.2	Polarization and bound charges		HW6
10/9	Thursday
10/10	Friday	4.2, 4.3	Constant P problem, Electric displacement
10/11	Saturday
10/12	Sunday
10/13	Monday	4.4	Linear dielectrics
10/14	Tuesday
10/15	Wednesday	4.4	Linear dielectrics	Q4 (HW5)
10/16	Thursday
10/17	Friday		Homecoming (no classes)
10/18	Saturday
10/19	Sunday
10/20	Monday	4.4	Linear dielectrics		HW7
10/21	Tuesday
10/22	Wednesday	4.4	Work and Energy
10/23	Thursday
10/24	Friday	5.1	Magnetic fields due to currents
10/25	Saturday
10/26	Sunday
10/27	Monday	5.2	Biot-Savart law
10/28	Tuesday
10/29	Wednesday	5.2	Biot-Savart law	Q5
10/30	Thursday
10/31	Friday	5.3	Divergence and curl of B fields
11/1	Saturday
11/2	Sunday
11/3	Monday	5.4	Vector potential, Spinning charged sphere		HW8
11/4	Tuesday
11/5	Wednesday	5.4	Spinning charged sphere, Boundary conditions
11/6	Thursday
11/7	Friday	5..4	Multipole expansion
11/8	Saturday
11/9	Sunday
11/10	Monday	6.1	Magnetic materials
11/10	Monday		Review 2
11/11	Tuesday
11/12	Wednesday			Exam 2
11/13	Thursday
11/14	Friday	6.2	Field of a magnetized object
11/15	Saturday
11/16	Sunday
11/17	Monday	6.2, 6.3	Field of a magnetized object, The auxiliary field H		HW9
11/18	Tuesday
11/19	Wednesday	6.4	Linear magnetic media	Q6
11/20	Thursday
11/21	Friday	6.4	Ferromagnets
11/22	Saturday
11/23	Sunday
11/24	Monday		Thanksgiving week (no classes)
11/25	Tuesday
11/26	Wednesday
11/27	Thursday
11/28	Friday
11/29	Saturday
11/30	Sunday
12/1	Monday			ALC test
12/2	Tuesday
12/3	Wednesday		Additional topics	Extra credit project
12/3	Wednesday		Review
12/4	Thursday
12/5	Friday
12/6	Saturday
12/7	Sunday
12/8	Monday
12/9	Tuesday
12/10	Wednesday
12/11	Thursday
12/12	Friday		Final exam (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm)	Final exam