Syllabus: Physics 308

Mathematical Methods

This is a basic mathematics course for physics/engineering majors, one of the four most important subjects a physicist/engineer must learn. Problem solving and calculational skills, correct formalism and mathematical logic are equally emphasised.

Lecture

Lewis 1, Monday and Wednesday, 11:00-12:15

Instructor
Dr. Tibor Torma, Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Lewis 208, 915-5627, ttorma@phy.olemiss.edu.
Office Hours
After each class, or call for appointment.

Credit
3 credit hours.

Textbook
Mary L. Boas: Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, 3nd edition.

(Each student is requested to buy his/her own paper copy.)

Coverage:
(Not in this order!)
We'll cover 11 of the 15 chapters in the textbook. Differential equations are left to the co-requisite course Math 353.

A small amount of additional material relating to mathematical logic, mathematical formalism, and modern algebra will be provided by the instructor.

Lectures: Attendence is mandatory. Excuses are strictly scrutinized and missed classes must be made up immeditely and fully.

Discipline: Late arrivals are not allowed. Credit-bearing quizzes are given promptly in the beginning of each class.

Reading: It is essentially impossible to explain all the material covered in the textbook in full detail within the available lecture time. For this reason, students are asked to do a first reading on each chapter before lecture, then a detailed second reading after lecture. The lecture will concentrate on the general logic plus the harder parts of the material, and leave out the bulky but simpler parts.

Homework: Most homework will consist of exercises (as opposed to problems). These can be solved, perhaps with some perseverance, without resorting to help or coming up with difficult ideas. For this reason, all homework must be individual work; cooperation between students is not permitted. The use of the internet is also not allowed. The main purpose is to get the necessary problem solving skills, which are then used to do the tests. For this reason, homework grade is only a small part of the grade. Breaking the above rules is strongly counterproductive (and there is the risk of being caught, too).

Quizzes: In the beginning of classes, a five-minute quiz will be given. These quizzes will ask for formulating definitions and theorems from the last previous classes or from the assigned reading. (Since the last quiz.)

Tests:

Tests are all closed book. Students are expected to know all definitions and theorems precisely. Some of the test questions will ask for these. (Memorization of proofs is not required.) Other problems will be similar to homework exercises. (Some of these include simple proofs of propositions; these are not to be memorized but rather invented on the spot.)

Students with disabilities: All reasonable measures will be taken to accommodate any special needs. Inform the instructor in advance of any such need during lecture, discussion, laboratory or tests. Affected students are responsible for requesting special accomodition in time. However, no extra time can be offered for the in-class quizzes (in case this causes a severe problem, individual remedies might be considered).

Late enrollment: Students who do not attend the first week but enroll later will have to make up all that they missed within one week.

Grading: The grades are determined by the weighted average as follows:
A92%>A- 90%>B+88%>B82%>B-80%

80%>C+78%>C72%>C-70%>D60%>F

Homework: 15%

Quizzes: 10%

Three tests 16.67% each

Final 25%