Physics 485 -- Methods of Mathematical Physics -- Spring 2003
Instructor:
Associate Professor S. Martin
Office: Faraday West 214
Phone: (815) 753-6467
email: spmartin@niu.edu
Office hours: M,T,W 10:45-11:45, or whenever you can find me.
You will usually not be able to find me on Thursday afternoons.
Class meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30-10:45, Faraday West 227.
Textbook: There is no official required textbook for this class. However, I strongly recommend you obtain one of the following:
"Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" by
M.L. Boas,
2nd edition, Wiley, ISBN 0471044091.
Pros: Much more clearly written and logically organized than
Arfken+Weber.
Students often find the examples easier to follow.
Cons: Not nearly as complete as Arfken+Weber. Does not have a
few of the topics we will cover.
"Mathematical Methods for Physicists" by G.B. Arfken and H. Weber, 5th
edition, Harcourt/Academic Press, ISBN 0120598256.
Pros: Much more complete than Boas. A useful reference
for work outside of our course. Some copies are available in the
bookstore.
Cons: Organized in a way that is sometimes confusing. Examples are
sometimes lacking.
Syllabus: in pdf form.
Homework #1 assignment (due Thursday, January 23, 2003) in
pdf form.
Homework #2 assignment (due Thursday, January 30, 2003) in
Homework #3 assignment (due Thursday, February 6, 2003) in
Homework #4 assignment (due Thursday, February 13, 2003) in
Homework #5 assignment (due Thursday, February 20, 2003) in
Homework #6 assignment (due Thursday, February 27, 2003) in
Homework #7 assignment (due Tuesday, March 18, 2003) in
Take-home Midterm (due Tuesday, March 25, 2003) in
Homework #8 assignment (due Tuesday, April 8, 2003) in
Homework #9 assignment (due Thursday, April 17, 2003) in
Homework #10 assignment (due Thursday, April 24, 2003) in
Homework #11 assignment (due Thursday, May 1, 2003) in
Final Exam (due Thursday, May 8, 2003) in