PHY 332

Electricity and Magnetism

    CRN 22061706 (Dow 109)

     General Information and Grading Policies

Spring 2009

Instructor: Dr. Jan Fiala

211 Dow, 774-3496, fiala1j@cmich.edu

Class Times:  Tuesday & Thursday  12:30 PM - 01:45 PM

Office hours: Monday & Wednesday  02:00 PM - 04:00 PM, or by appointment (see my schedule).

Text: Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd ed., D. J. Griffiths, Prentice Hall 1999

Overview: This is an advanced course in Electricity and Magnetism. This course is intended for majors in the physical sciences. It is assumed that each student has successfully completed the prerequisites or their equivalents: PHY 247, MTH 233, & MTH 334. The principles and methods acquired in these courses will be fundamental to working and understanding the problems and material covered in this course.

This course will expand the foundation of physical principles learned in PHY 146. Using the new mathematical skills and physical insight acquired since you took PHY 146 (or equivalent), and some new mathematical methods which we will develop, we will tackle more realistic problems and issues.
The material covered in the first 7 chapters of the textbook will be covered in detail. Most chapters will take approximately two (2) weeks to complete.

Homework: Homework will be assigned frequently. As we cover an appropriate amount of material, homework will be assigned covering these newly discussed topics. Due dates will be announced for each set. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class.

Exam: Two midterm exams will be given during the semester, each covering a block of chapters and related material. The exact composition of the exam will be discussed in the class periods leading up to each exam. A comprehensive ¯nal will be given at the end of the semester. Make-Up Exams should be arranged in advance. Such exams must be completed before test papers are returned. Once the exams have been returned, no further make-up exams will be administered. Any missed exams will receive a score of 0.

Academic Dishonesty: Campus policies concerning Academic Integrity will be strictly observed during all exams and quizzes. Although calculators will be allowed, each student must provide their own calculator, pencils, and erasers. Students must do their own work. Presentation of solutions or copied work will result in 0 Credit on the assignment and may lead to disciplinary action.

Points and Grades:
 

Letter grades will be assigned based on the overall class performance.

Instructor Availability:
My door is always open, and I try to keep up to date with my email. If you are having trouble with class materials, curious about your grade so far, lost in the concepts, buried by homework, or have any other issue, please come to see me. I will do my best to help. We can take as long as you need discussing any material you may not understand. The presentation in class is geared to the collective audience. In my office, I can reshape the explanations to fit your own experiences.
 

Tutors: The Physics Department provides student tutors starting in the second week of the semester. Student tutors are generally available Monday through Thursday between approximately 6PM and 10PM in DOW 231 (upstairs, off lobby, near soda machines). They can be of great help when struggling through the homework problems. Do not expect them to do the work for you, however.

Study Groups: I encourage students to exchange ideas, insights, and generally discuss the topics of the day outside of class. This promotes understanding and increases general knowledge and insight into the topics we will discuss in class. Joining together and discussing the homework can be a great opportunity to have your colleagues (classmates) help you grasp the essentials and improve your performance on exams. Students interested in such activities should band together and arrange a time and place for such activities. I encourage these groups to advertise their gatherings for other students who may need assistance.

ADA: CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities, or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible.

Classroom Civility: Each student is encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in the classroom. Students who disrupt the class by speaking at inappropriate times, sleeping, arriving late, leaving early, using cell phones or pagers, using inappropriate language, engaging in disruptive behavior, or are verbally abusive, defiant, or are disrespectful or aggressive to others could be asked to leave the classroom and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Disciplinary Procedures.

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