Physics 370 -- Electricity and Magnetism I -- Spring 2018

Class meetings: M,W,F 11:00-11:50 in LaTourette 227 (note change!)

Instructor: Professor S. Martin
Office: 214 La Tourette
email: spmartin@niu.edu

Office hours: M,T,W,F 1:00 to 2:30, or any time you can find me. (Right after class is usually good, but before class is not. Thursdays I am often not here, otherwise I am usually around.)

Textbook: "Introduction to Electrodynamics", D.J. Griffiths, 4th edition

Catalog Description: Behavior of electric and magnetic fields. Study of electrostatics, magnetostatics, and the electric and magnetic properties of matter. Use of vector calculus. PRQ: MATH 232 and PHYS 260 or PHYS 261 or PHYS 283. CRQ: MATH 336. Credits: 3

Grading: Weighted according to 45% homework, 20% midterm exam, 35% final exam. To pass this course, you MUST score at least 50% on the homework.

Homework policies: Late penalty: 10% off for each day late up to 5 days; 100% off for > 5 days. I prefer homework papers to be turned in at the end of class, but they are considered on time if turned in by 5:00 PM on the due date. You can turn them in to my mailbox in the Physics main office if I'm not around. Homework papers should be written neatly, single-sided on paper, and stapled. Electronic submission of homework is not allowed. You are encouraged to consult with each other on the homework. However, each of you must turn in only your own work. Do not turn in anything that you have copied, or anything that you do not truly understand.

Exam policies: Exams will be closed book, but you may bring one page of notes in your own original handwriting, and you will be given a formula sheet for coordinate systems and vector derivatives, as here. No electronic devices are allowed.

Midterm exam: Friday, March 9, 2018, 11:00-11:59 AM. Covers Chapters 1,2,3 in Griffiths.
Final exam: Wednesday, May 9, 2018, 10:00-11:59 AM. Comprehensive.

Suggestions: It is very strongly suggested that you do attend class and take notes, even though we will mostly stick close to the textbook. If you are stuck, please do come to my office for help. The best way to prepare for exams is to study homework problems and the concepts that they involve.

See the syllabus for a pdf version of the information listed above and more, including an accessibility statement and a list of physics topics to be covered in the course.

There is no "Blackboard" web page for this course, everything relevant will be handed out on real paper as well as linked to on this web page.

Homework #2 assignment (due Wednesday, January 31, 2018)

Homework #3 assignment (due Friday, February 9, 2018)

Homework #4 assignment (due Monday, February 19, 2018)

Homework #5 assignment (due Monday, February 26, 2018)

Homework #6 assignment (due Wednesday, March 7, 2018)

Information for midterm exam (on Friday, March 9, 2018)

Homework #7 assignment (due Wednesday, March 28, 2018)

Homework #8 assignment (due Wednesday, April 4, 2018)

Homework #9 assignment (due Wednesday, April 11, 2018)

Homework #10 assignment (due Wednesday, April 18, 2018)

Homework #11 assignment (due Wednesday, April 25, 2018)

Homework #12 assignment (due Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at noon, not accepted late)