Physics 436: Lectures, Reading Assignments, Homework, Problem Sessions, Exams and Grading Policies

P436 Lectures and Reading Assignments

The P436 Lecture Notes are the primary reference material for this course. Griffith's Introduction to Electrodynamics is the secondary reference and also the source of the weekly HW problems. The P436 Lecture notes were specifically/deliberately tailored to match the progression of the material presented in Griffiths book; however much additional material is contained in the P436 Lecture Notes that is not contained in Griffiths' book. In addition, there are many other/additional EM books on reserve specifically for the P436 course in the Physics Library, which we strongly encourage students to additionally take a look at/take advantage of!
It is very important that each student read/work through the assigned material in both the P436 Lecture Notes AND Griffith's book prior to discussion of this material in the P436 lecture. Please come to class with lots of questions!!!

Homework

Homework is an extremely important aspect of this course and is assigned weekly.
Homework sets are assigned at the Friday P436 Lecture each week.
The P436 homework assignments are due the following Friday *before* 12 am (noon), unless otherwise stated.
Homework sets are to be deposited (only) in the Physics HW 436 dropbox before 12 am (noon) on the day they are due.
The P436 HW dropbox is located on the 2nd floor of Loomis, north of the central corridor, by the interpass between Loomis and the Materials Research Laboratory.
P436 Homework sets will be collected from the dropbox promptly at 12 am (noon) on the day they are due. If they are deposited after this time, they will be considered late.
Students should contact Prof. Errede in case of difficulties that prevent them from handing in the homework on time.
Graded homework and homework solutions will be handed out in class one week after the due date.
Late HW Policy:

Homework deposited between Friday 12 am (noon) and Monday 12 am (noon) will receive a 20% penalty (i.e. 20% of the earned grade will be deducted).
Homework deposited between Monday 12 am (noon) and Wednesday 12 am (noon) will receive a 40% penalty (i.e. 40% of the earned grade will be deducted).
Homework deposited after Wednesday 12 am (noon) will not be graded.

P436 Discussion/Problem Sessions

You and the P436 Discussion TA will together work through a set of problems relevant to the homework for the week.
The intent of the discussion sessions is not to go over the P436 homework itself, but to help you with the general problem solving techniques that are required for doing the homework problems.
No grade is given for participating in these sessions ... they are offered to you as an additional resource.
However, we STRONGLY encourage you to attend/participate in the weekly P436 Discussion Sessions.

P436 Hour Exams and Final Exam

There will be two hour exams and one final exam. The hour exams and final exam will be held during the friday lecture section in Loomis 144. The dates of the exams are:

Hour Exam I - Friday, February 22, 11-12am
Hour Exam II - Friday, April 4, 11-12am
Final Exam - Saturday, May 3, 8:00-11:00 am

Grading

Your final grade for the P436 course will be based on your performance on the P436 homework assignments, the two P436 hour exams and the P436 final exam. The approximate weight assigned to each part of your grade is:

P436 Homework: 30% of final grade.
Each P436 Hour Exam: 15% of final grade (total 30%).
P436 Final Exam: 30% of final grade.
Participation in Weekly P436 Discussion Sessions: 10% of final grade.

Academic Integrity

Giving assistance to, or receiving assistance from another person, or the use of unauthorized materials during University Examinations can be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the University.

Please be aware that prior to, or during an examination the instructional staff may wish to rearrange the student seating. Such action does not mean that anyone is suspected of inappropriate behavior.

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