PHYSICS 374
Intermediate Theoretical Methods


Course Information
Course title: Intermediate Theoretical Methods
Course number: PHYS 374, 4 credits
Course discipline: Physics
Course description: The purpose of this course is to introduce the most important mathematical methods used in a variety of physics applications. The math topics will include: Dimensional analysis, series expansions, perturbation theory, vector calculus, partial differential equations, complex analysis, Fourier series, linear algebra, Green's functions. These methods will be used to solve physics problems in the following areas: Classical mechanics, Maxwell's equations, special relativity, fluid mechanics, vibrations and waves, quantum mechanics.
Course dates: Thursday, August 30, 2007 through Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Location: Room 1201, Physics Building
Meeting day and time: Monday.........11:00am-11:50am
Tuesday and Thursday......11:00am-12:15pm
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: PHYS273 and MATH246
Instructor
Name: Dr. Victor M. Galitski
E-mail: galitski_at_umd.edu
Office: Room 2214, Physics Building
Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:15 - 1:15 pm (after class)
Phone: 301.405.6107
Web page: http://www.wam.umd.edu/~galitski/
Teaching Assistant
Name: Mr. Baladitya Suri
E-mail: balasuri@umd.edu
Office location: Room 0104, Physics Building
Office hours: Monday and Thursday 1 - 2 pm
Phone: 301.405.8577
Textbook
Required reading: A Guided Tour of Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences, Roel Snieder, published by the Cambridge University Press, 2th edition, 2004, ISBN 0-521-83492-9
Recommended reading: Essential Mathematical Methods for Physics, H. J. Weber and G. B. Arfken, published by Elsevier Academic Press, 1st edition, 2004, ISBN 0-12-059877-9
Homework and Exams
Homework: Homework assignments will be posted on the course web-site (http://www.wam.umd.edu/~galitski/PHYS374/) weekly and will be due in one week.
Exams: There will be two midterm exams and a final exam.
Homework/exam policies:
  • Please, make sure you include your name and staple the pages together.
  • Homework must be turned in to Dr. Galitski in class on the due date (NOT to the grader, Mr. Suri). Late homework will be accepted, only if there are compelling medical reasons (a doctor's note is needed) or if you inform Dr. Galitski of a problem at least two days in advance of the due date.
  • It is strictly forbidden to make any use of solutions from previous classes. See Academic Honesty section below
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    Grades
    Grades: The final grade will be based on the exams (50%±5%) and homework (50%±5%). The lowest two homework scores will be dropped.
    Code of Academic Integrity
    Student Honor Council: The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html.