Mathematical Methods of Physics

Prerequisites

Introductory Physics I & II, Math 212. Math proficiency in introductory calculus is essential.
If you are uncertain about your preparation, consult the instructor.

Classes

TWRF 18:00 – 21:30,  Oceanography & Physics, Room 0142

Instructor

Dr. Charles E. Hyde
Office: OCNPS/PSB 2100C
 Phone: 683-5853
chyde'at'odu.edu  (preferred)

Materials

Textbook: “Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering”
by Riley, Hobson and Bence (3rd edition or 2nd edition).
One or two bound Homework notebooks, preferably square ruled for graphs.

Support Resources

Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 16:30 – 17:30  (in OCNPS/PSB 2100C), and by appointment.

Blackboard: Homework Assignments, Grades, and other useful information will be posted on the class Blackboard page.

E-mail: chyde@odu.edu (have “physics 355” or just “355” in the subject line, emails without subject are treated as spam).

Phone: 683-5853 (feel free to contact the instructor for any urgent questions, email is more reliable than phone).
GTA: Stetson Roof:  Check Blackboard for contact information

Time
Commitment

Physics 355 is a demanding course.  `MayMester' is an extremely compressed format.   Students should allocate 3-4 hours per day (in addition to class time) to do well in the course. If you cannot dedicate this level of effort, you should consider taking this course in the fall.  If you are spending more than 4 hours per day or you feel lost, you should contact the instructor to develop a different studying strategy.

Course Grades

The final grade is calculated on an absolute scale. There are 100 points possible for this course of which

20 points – Midterm Exam
30 points – Final Exam
20 points – Homework assignments
20 points – Quizzes
10 points – Class Participation

The grading policy is non-competitive and lenient, but there will be no curve. If everyone in the class does well, everyone can get an A.

A letter grade is determined only at the end of the term. Approximate Grading Scale:

A:  [95, 100]
A-:  [90, 94]
B+: [85, 89]
B  : [80,84]
B-:  [75, 79]
C+: [ 70, 74]
C : [65:69]
C-: [60:64]
D: [50,59]
F<50

Class time

Each class period will consist of lectures, group exercises,  interactive discussions and quizes.
Quizes will be at least every other class, during the last 30min of class.

Attendance is highly advisable. If you have to miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed.

Policy on class disruption: Class disruption will not be tolerated.
Students attending class have the right to a professional, quiet and amiable learning environment free of disruption. Disruptive behavior may include but is not limited to: persistent late arrivals or leaving early in a manner that disrupts the regular flow of the class, talking while the instructor is talking, speaking in class without first obtaining recognition and permission to speak, use of electronic equipment such as cell phones, computers, MP3 players, etc. in a manner that disrupts the class.

Homework

Homework assignments will be set approximately every class period.  You must keep a bound
HW journal (or two if that is more convenient), and submit all HW in the journal.  Scratch work
can be simply struck out, or noted on the page.  Each page should be clearly labeled.

HW assigned MTW will be due two calendar days later.  HW assigned Th or F will be due the following Tuesday.  Homework must be submitted at the beginning of the class session, to be graded and returned at the end of class.
Homework must be legible and complete.  For each day that submitted HW is late, 50% of the remaining available points will be deducted.

Doing the homework problems is one of the best ways to learn the material. Credit for homework is given to encourage practicing and thinking about mathematical methods in physics on a regular basis.

It is vitally important that you keep up on the HW, and get help early if you are having difficulty.date.

Reading

Assignments

Due to the compressed format of this course, it is  vitally important that you read the appropriate sections of the textbook BEFORE coming to class. Reading ahead requires time management and discipline, but the payoff is considerable - the material will be much easier to understand. The reading assignment questions may be given as part of the  quizzes.

Mid-term
Exam
Wed
20 May 2015 6:00–9:30 pm

There will be one midterm exam. The midterm exam will be given during the regularly scheduled class periods. The examinations will emphasize the material in lectures and homework assignments. Your work should be neat and orderly to earn full credit on a problem.

No make-up examinations will be given. In case you have a legitimate reason for missing an exam, consult with me before, or at least within 24 hours after the exam.

Requests for correction of grading mistakes on exams can be made when the work is returned to you. The requests must be made within two days after getting your grade. Requests should be written. In their request, students must explain why they believe there is a mistake in grading and why they deserve more credit. However, clerical errors (e.g., addition errors) will be corrected immediately.

Final Exam

Friday 29 May, 2015, 6:00 – 9:30 pm

 Oceanography & Physical Sciences Building (OCNPS), Room 0142

Keys to
success

In Physics 355 it is vital to both understand the underlying concepts and apply them to problem solving.
Advanced reading, consistent participation, and timely completion of assignments are the keys to success.
If you work regularly and allocate enough time each day to complete the assignments on time and keep up with the course, you will get the most out of the course both intellectually and grade-wise. Two things that generally do not work are memorization and cramming to catch up just before the examinations (it will be impossible to assimilate all the material). Use the support resources to clarify the material as soon as you feel unsure about something — the instructor is there to help you.

Expectations

For the most efficient use of time in class – you are expected to be prepared for class by reading the material ahead. Once again, it requires discipline, but the pay-offs are considerable.

You are expected to read the sections in the textbook that are covered in class. You should spend at least 1 hour each class day working with your textbook.

Exams and assignments – you are expected to do your work in a neat way (clear diagrams, equations, explanations and numbers). You must show your work and explain your reasoning to earn full credit on a problem.

Finally, you are expected to ask for help when you feel you do not understand something. Do not wait until the final exam to address any problems with the material, most of the time it will be too late.

Professional

Integrity

In Physics 355, high professional and ethical standards are promoted. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on the exam and failure in the course. The academic integrity code is to be maintained at all times.

Collaboration

Collaboration in class and on homework assignments is strongly encouraged. Because the course is graded on an absolute scale, you will never reduce your grade by helping others — on the contrary, by doing so you will reinforce your own knowledge and improve your performance. Although, before working together or consulting others on any assignments, it is helpful to first tackle the work alone. Activities for which collaboration is not permitted are: examinations, quizzes, and submission of homework assignments.