Mathematical Physics

PHY 365 --- Fall 2001 Syllabus

Physics Department --- Mercer University

 

 Texts: Mathematical Methods for Physicists, by George B. Arfken and Hans J. Weber; and
             Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering, by K. F. Riley, M. P. Hobson, and S. J. Bence
 Class Meetings: TR 1:40-2:55pm, WSC 106 
 Instructor: Dr. Jose L. Balduz Jr 
          email:  balduz_jl@mercer.edu
           phone: 301-2229
          office: Willet Science Center 110
          office hours: MTWRF 11am-noon, or by appointment, or try your luck anytime...

 

This is an advanced course in mathematical methods in the physical sciences, for junior or senior level students. It is intended primarily for physics majors, but should be of interest also to many other students, especially those in the sciences and engineering. Prerequisite are PHY 161 and 162 General Physics I & II, MAT 293 Multivariable Calculus, and MAT 330 Introduction to Differential Equations. Students are therefore assumed to know basic college physics, and to be able to use vector calculus and simple differential equations.

 

Students will learn about the theory and applications, in a physics context, of the following mathematical tools: probability theory, linear algebra, group theory, orthogonal functions and Sturm-Liouville theory, Fourier analysis, partial differential equations, the calculus of variations, and chaotic dynamics. The goal is for students to acquire techniques beyond those of basic calculus, multivariable calculus, and ordinary differential equations, which they may use to perform nontrivial analysis and calculations in their advanced physics and other courses.

 

Lectures: Class time will be devoted mostly to conventional lectures, including theory and examples. We will also discuss the material and go over problems in the texts, including homework.

 

Homework (50% of total grade): From each main topic the instructor will assign some homework problems to be worked by the students and handed in for grading. There will be eight homework sets. After the papers are collected, a solution sheet will be provided.

 

Tests (30% of total grade): There will be three take-home tests, containing derivations and  numerical problems. There will be no final exam for this course.

 

Project (20% of total grade): Each student will carry out an independent project. This will involve some calculation which applies mathematics to physics at a level of difficulty beyond that normally required in a homework or test, and which is not found in textbooks. It is very inmportant to decide on a project topic early, so that ample time is left to carry out the work. Therefore, students should discuss the project with the instructor as soon as possible…

 

 

 

Grading: The percentage for each activity is shown in the left table below. To convert the total percentage to a letter grade, use the scale shown in the right table below.

 

  # total %
Homeworks 8 50
Tests 3 30
Project 1 20
 

Total

 100
  GP %
A 4.0 90-100
B+ 3.5 84-89
B 3.0 78-83
C+ 2.5 72-77
C 2.0 66-71
D 1.0 56-65
F 0.0 0-55

 

Miscellaneous policies:

 

1.      All parts of this syllabus are tentative and subject to revision.

2.      Late homeworks, take-home tests, and projects will suffer a one-half letter grade penalty if handed in within one week of the due date. If handed in later than that, they will suffer a full letter grade penalty.

3.      There will be no dropped grades. All work done in the course will be counted.

4.      There will be no extra-credit work.

5.      The College of Liberal Arts' academic misconduct policy will be followed. In addition, all students are bound by the Mercer University Honor Code.

6.      Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructors all their work during the course, regardless of their grades. Questions about point awards should be brought up as soon as possible, as all grades will be final one week after the materials are graded and returned to the students.

7.      Students who believe that they possess disabilities for which reasonable accommodation is required must so inform one of the instructors at the close of their first class meeting. They must then identify their disability and the accommodation requested. The instructor will refer them to the office of the Dean of Students for evaluation, documentation of their disability, and a recommendation as to the accommodation, if any, to be provided. Students who do NOT consult with either instructor and follow up at the office of the Dean of Students, as provided above, will thereby waive any claim to a disability and the right to any accommodation pertaining thereto.

8.      All requests for reasonable accommodation are welcome also in regard to absence from class for school representation (i.e., athletic or other events) or personal/family problems. Let's talk about it...