PHYS 274/Spring 2016/HASSAM/GENERAL INFORMATION

Times:  MWF 2:00pm-2:50pm (PHY 1201), ( )              

Instructor:         Professor Adil Hassam  hassam@umd.edu
                          AVW3307 301-405-1417

Office hours:     I will be available right after class for questions.  In general, I encourage you to use email for any questions you
                          have;  I will respond to email fairly quickly.   We can then set up follow-up appointments as needed.   I will also
                          be sending email to the entire class for any clarifications, etc.  Please make sure you are receiving email from me.

TA:                   TBA

Texts:               No one text will be followed.  Weber/Arfken, ESSENTIAL MATH.METHODS FOR PHYSICISTS,
                         is recommended as a general text.   Class notes are posted at
                         http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~hassam/274/classnote/
                         SINCE THERE IS NO TEXT, IT IS ESSENTIAL YOU ATTEND THE LECTURES.

                          The following texts are for supplementary reading:
                                - Baierlein                Newtonian Dynamics
                                - Griffiths                 Introduction to Electromagnetism
                                - Griffiths                 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
                                - Weber/Arfken       Essential Math Methods for Physicists
                                - Boas                     Math Methods in Physical Sciences
                                - Wolfram               Mathematica
                                - Tam                      Physicist's Guide to Mathematica
                                 - Sneider                 Mathematical Methods ...

Approach:     We will concentrate on the essential physics of the first 3 texts listed above.
                      We will assess what math methods are required for mastering this physics and
                      develop a working knowledge of these methods. Mathematica (or Matlab, etc)
                      will be used where appropriate. Some math methods introduced are:
                      ODE's, coordinate systems, vector analysis, PDE's,
                      function spaces, approximation methods, coordinate transformations, symmetry, relativity.

Grading: (Tentative)  There will be 2 Midterms and a Final, and regular homework.
                                All will count towards the grade.
                                The breakdown will be roughly as follows:  Midterms 45% ,  HW 25%,  Final 30%.