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Electrodynamics (PHYC30016)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an introduction to electrodynamics and a wide range of applications including communications, superconductors, plasmas, novel materials, photonics and astrophysics. Topics include: revision of Maxwell’s equations, strategies for solving boundary value problems for static and time-varying fields, electromagnetic fields in materials (including dielectrics, magnetic materials, conductors, plasmas and metamaterials), electromagnetic waves, derivation of geometric optics from Maxwell’s equations, guided waves, relativistic electrodynamics and the covariant formulation of electrodynamics, radiation by antennas and accelerating charged particles.
Intended learning outcomes
Students completing this subject should be able to:
- explain classical electrodynamics based on Maxwell's equations including its formulation in covariant form;
- solve problems involving the calculation of fields, the motion of charged particles and the production of electromagnetic waves; and
- analyse the solution of these problems in the context of a range of applications.
Generic skills
A student who completes this subject should be able to:
- analyse how to solve a problem by applying simple fundamental laws to more complicated situations
- apply abstract concepts to real-world situations
- solve relatively complicated problems using approximations
- participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for tutorial classes, undertake the written assignments and the examination.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Physics
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
PHYC20011 | Electromagnetism and Optics | No longer available | |
PHYC20015 | Special Relativity and Electromagnetism | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
And Mathematics
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
And at least one of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10009 | Accelerated Mathematics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20026 | Real Analysis |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Two assignments each equivalent to 1500 words (10% each)
| During the teaching period | 20% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 80% |
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Ann Roberts Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 47 hours total, consisting of three 1h lectures per week, and one 1h tutorial/problem-solving class per week starting from the second week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
D J Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, 4th edition, John Wiley
Recommended texts and other resources
J D Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, 3rd edition, Academic Press.
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Physics Informal specialisation Physics Major Mathematical Physics Major Physics Informal specialisation Physics specialisation Informal specialisation Chemical Physics specialisation - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 March 2024