Syllabus

Physics 324: Methods of Theoretical Physics

Fall 2009

T & R: 2:15 – 3:30 PM, UH 141

Instructor:    A.  Boukahil

 

Office:            Upham: 153

 

Telephone:   472-1080

 

Office hours:            T & R: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

                                         W:      9:30 – 11:30 AM & 4:30 – 5:30 PM

 

All other times, by appointment only.

 

E-mail:                                boukahia@uww.edu

 

Course Description:

Topics covered include methods of theoretical physics, vector analysis, differential equations of mathematical physics, analytic functions and integration in the complex plane, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, Fourier transforms, and their applications in physics.

                                                     

NO Textbook required. Notes will be made available to students.

Exams:

Three mid-terms and a final

1.      Exam 1: Thursday, Sep.24th  in Room 141 UH

2.      Exam 2: Thursday, Oct. 22rd   in Room 141 UH

3.      Exam 3: Thursday,  Nov 19th in Room 141 UH

4.      Final Exam: Thursday, Dec. 17th , 10:00 – 12:00 Noon, in 141 UH

 

Homework:

Homework will be assigned every week in class on Thursday and will be collected the following Thursday. You are encouraged to start working on your assignment as soon as possible. Feel free to stop by my office if you need help.

 

 

Special Item:

 

There will be extra sessions offered to students registered for this course. These one –hour sessions will focus on problem solving techniques, including some homework problems. You are encouraged to attend these sessions. The time and place will be announced before September 15, 2009.

 

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be based on

 

1.      Homework 25% of your final grade

2.      Exams: each of the top two counts 20%, and the lowest counts 15%

3.      Final exam counts 20% of you final grade

 

Grading Scale: 

A         95%—100%

A-        90%—94%

B+       86%—89%

B        82%—85%

B-       78%—81%                                                                                         

C+      74%—77%                                                              

C        70%—73%                                                              

C-       66%—69%                                                               

                                         D+      61%—65%  

                                         D       56%—60%   

D-      50%—55%                                                                                                   

F         <50%

                                   

Course Policies:

 

Avoid missing a scheduled examination. No make-up exams will be given. Class attendance is not required but the students are responsible for assignments if they do miss any class period.

All electronic devices (e.g., cellular phones, pagers, I-pods, etc.) must be turned off while in class. NO CELL PHONES ARE ALLOWED DURING EXAMS. You will not be allowed to use cell phones as calculators

 

 
UWW Policies

 

Special needs statement: Students with special needs should contact the instructor to make appropriate arrangements.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accomodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accomodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events. (For details please refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate Timetables; the Rights and Responsibilities section of the Undergraduate Bulletin; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and the Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures [UWS Chapter 14]; and the Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures [UWS Chapter 17].)