The College of New Jersey
Department of Physics
Electromagnetic Theory
Dr Thulsi Wickramasinghe
Email: wick@tcnj.edu
Office: SC P110, Science Complex
Course Outline
The following gives an idea about the topics to be covered in lectures.
- Advanced vector calculus
- Coulomb's law and its mathematical applications
- Nature of the electrostatic field
- Calculation of the electric fields due to various geometries
- Mathematical form of Gauss' law and its applications
- Theory of electrostatic potential
- Conductors in electrostatic fields
- Electric multipoles
- Boundary conditions for E
- Theory of electrostatics in the presence of matter
- Special mathematical methods in electrostatics
Required Textbook
Electromagnetic Fields (2nd Edition) by R K Wangsness.
Most parts will be covered in detail in lectures.
Some sections will be
assigned as reading material.
The structure of the
class is aimed at the level of the student who
is planning to go for graduate studies in physics
or astrophysics.
Additional Reading [in Physics Seminar Room]
- Classical Electrodynamics, Jackson
- Electrodynamics of Continuous Media, Landau & Lifshitz
- Electromagnetic Fields, Corson & Lorrain
Mathematical Methods for Physicists, Arfken
- Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, M L Boas
- Mathematica, S Wolfram
Attendance
Attending lectures is essential to do well in
the course. A substantial number of problems will
be solved in lectures. These problems will help you
do your homework effectively.
The examinations will be based upon homework
and the material discussed in lectures.
You will get
5
points for attending each lecture.
(Attendance = 3 points; Participation = 2 points).
Examinations
There will be midterm exams.
These examinations
will not be cumulative.
Policy of Examinations
Under no circumstances, may a student be
exempt from taking an examination. If you are
unable to take an examination, you will have to provide valid
written evidence (e.g. an original medical report
from a doctor or a letter from the college
Infirmary) of your inability to attend the
examination.
You are supposed to take no more than three exams
during a particular day. If such a conflict occurs,
you should first talk to the professor whose exam is the
latest in the day. He or she is obliged to give you
that particular exam at a different time.
Grading Policy
Your final grade will be calculated according to the
following tables. The highest score, after normalization or so called
curving, will be 100. Your letter grades will then be assigned.
| RANGE OF SCORE |
GRADE |
| 90 - 100 |
A |
| 85 - 89 |
A- |
| 80 - 84 |
B+ |
| 75 - 79 |
B |
| 70 - 74 |
B- |
| 65 - 69 |
C+ |
| 60 - 64 |
C |
| 50 - 59 |
C- |
| 45 - 49 |
D+ |
| 40 - 44 |
D |
| 00 - 39 |
F |
| RANGE OF SCORE |
GRADE |
| 90 - 100 |
A |
| 85 - 89 |
A- |
| 80 - 84 |
B+ |
| 75 - 79 |
B |
| 70 - 74 |
B- |
| 65 - 69 |
C+ |
| 60 - 64 |
C |
| 50 - 59 |
C- |
Office Hours
To be more effective, I will be keeping regular office hours.
How to contact me
The best way to contact me is through email. No matter where
I am, I will be reading my email many a time a day!