ADVANCED ELECTRODYNAMICS
PHY5EPA
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, students explore advanced electrodynamics theory and applications. The concept and theory related to electrodynamics are developed in a rigorous manner using vector analysis. Topics include electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetic field in medium, Maxwell's equation, electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic radiation. This subject is available to postgraduate students as part of a group of electives which deepen their knowledge of physics and introduce research-related skills.
School: School of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Andrew McDonald
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be admitted in one of the following courses: SMNT, PSMSC, SZHSMN or with approval from Physics Postgraduate Coordinator
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: PHY3EPP
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Introduction to Electrodynamics (4th ed.) | Prescribed | Griffiths, D. J., 2013 | Pearson |
| Readings | Classical Electrodynamics (3rd ed.) | Recommended | Jackson, J. D., 1998 | Wiley |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories related to advanced electrodynamics.
- Activities:
- Problem-solving techniques are modelled in lectures and workshops and partial solutions to selected problems derived in tutorials. Students are assigned a set of conceptual and mathematical problems to solve in the form of four assignments. Some assignment problems may require the use of standard computational software to be solved numerically.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex problems in the field of electrodynamics.
- Activities:
- Problem solving techniques are modeled in lectures and tutorials. Students will use these techniques to solve problems in electrodynamics requiring sophisticated application of the techniques.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Analyse critically on a research problem related to electrodynamics and apply applicable theories and methods to address the research problem.
- Activities:
- Students are provided with a research problem related to the theory and/or application of electrodynamics, and are expected to address it analytically and/or numerically. The background, conceptual framework, approach and results are summarized in a written report.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Use standard technical software to implement computational solutions to problems too complex for analytical mathematical solutions.
- Activities:
- Computational skills will be further extended during workshops by students writing an extended program in Matlab to model and thus solve a difficult problem in atomic physics or quantum optics. The program will include extensive in-line documentation as per standard professional programming practice.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Andrew McDonald
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 32 - 43
Six 3.0 hours workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 32 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 3-hour end of semester exam | 50 | 01, 02 | |
| Four individual written assignments (equivalent to 2400 words in total) | Solutions to short essay questions comprising both analytical and numerical (computational) solutions. | 40 | 01, 02, 04 |
| One written report on a research problem (equivalent to 1000 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |