Content will focus on concepts, solutions practical application of Maxwell's time dependent equations of eletrodynamics to topical areas such as classical optics and atom optics. Content will also include the relativistic formulation of Maxwell's equations and application of the relativistic formulation of Maxwell's equations.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Have an advanced understanding of Maxwell's equations and have gained practical experience in solving Maxwell's equations using analytic and numerical techniques.
- Understand the wave solutions of electromagnetism and their relevance to optics including propagation of electromagnetic waves in materials, birefringence, boundary conditions at material interfaces and reflection and transmission of waves at interfaces, polarisation, spatial phase, coherence, Fourier theory and spatial filtering, Maxwell stress tensor and mechanical forces exerted by electromagnetic waves, radiation from time dependent charge distributions.
- Discuss modern physics using covariant (relativistic formulation) of electrodynamics including four vectors, the electromagnetic field tensor, Lagrangians and fields, gauge transformations and symmetries.
- Apply the covariant formulation of electricity and magnetism to brehmstrahlung and related effects
- Explain the purpose and advantages of writing physical laws in tensor form.
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities with application to a diverse range of practical problems in electrodynamics.
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and be able to research and explain scientific concepts.
Indicative Assessment
- Assignments and reports (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Mid term Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research topic oral presentation (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The course will be taught in flipped classroom (blended) mode. The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
· Face-to face component which will consist of 3 hours of mandatory workshop per week (36 hours total), 12 hours of tutorials throughout the semester.
· Approximately 80 hours of self-study which will include on-line content, background reading, work on assignments and oral presentation
· Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Introduction to electrodynamics 4th edition, David J Griffiths, Prentice Hall, SBN-10: 9332550441.
Modern Electrodynamics, Andrew Zangwill. Cambridge University Press, ISBN-9780521896979
Assumed Knowledge
Multi variable calculus. Ordinary and partial differential equations and the solution of boundary value problems. Vector calculus including gradient, divergence and curl, Stoke's theorem and the divergence theorem.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4226 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | N/A |
