THE
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS
3800 – METHODS OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS
SPRING 2016
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Lecture: |
Instructor: |
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Physics 3800 A |
Dr. K. J. E. Vos |
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TR: 09:25 – 10:40 |
Office: E-882 University Hall |
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Room UH C-630 |
Telephone: 403.329.2191 |
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Electronic Mail: k.vos@uleth.ca |
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OFFICE
HOURS: (If you want to talk biophysics or get assistance
or help or advice)
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Monday: 16:00 – 18:00 in UH E882
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Tuesday: 16:30 – 18:30 in UH E882
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Wednesday: 16:00 – 18:00 in UH E882
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Thursday: 18:00 – 20:00 in UH E882
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Friday: 17:00 – 19:00 in UH E882
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
Mathematical
tools essential for advanced-level courses in classical and quantum mechanics.
Topics may include: complex analysis, Fourier series and integral transforms,
solution of partial differential equations, special and generalized functions,
Green's functions, tensors, and group theory.
PREREQUISITES:
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Mathematics 2580 (Calculus IV)
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Physics 2800 (Methods in Mathematical
Physics)
TEXT:
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Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering, 3rd edition, by K.
F. Riley, M. P. Hobson, and S. J. Bence (required)
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Student Solution Manual for Mathematical Methods for Physics and
Engineering,
3rd edition, by K. F. Riley and M. P. Hobson (optional)
REFERENCES:
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Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers, by C. M. Bender and S. A. Orszag
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Mathematical methods for Physicists, by G. B. Arfken
and H. J. Weber
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Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, by M. L. Boas
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Mathematical Methods of Physics, by J. Mathews and R. L. Walker
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Mathematical Physics, by E. Butkov
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Methods of Theoretical Physics, by P. M. Morse and H. Feshbach
TENTATIVE
COURSE OUTLINE:
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Week |
Topic |
Chapters |
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1 – 4 |
Complex Analysis |
3, 24 |
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5 – 8 |
Application of Complex Analysis |
12, 13, 25 |
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9 – 13 |
Differential Equations |
14 – 17, 20 – 21, 23 |
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? |
Special and hypergeometric functions |
18 |
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? |
Tensors |
26 |
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? |
Group Theory |
28 |
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? |
Representation Theory |
29 |
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? |
Probability & Statistics |
30 – 31 |
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? |
Calculus of Variations |
22 |
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? |
Nonlinear Physics & Chaos Theory |
?? |
Grade
Distribution:
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Assignments 25%
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Tri-Term I 25%
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Tri-Term II 25%
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Tri-Term III (Final Exam) 25%
Assignments: There will be an assignment
each week. The grade for the assignments
will be the sum of your marks divided by the sum of the totals.
Tri-term
I Examination:
The
exam will be 48 hours in
duration starting on FRIDAY, February 5, 2016, and ending on SUNDAY, February
7, 2016 (tentative).
The exam is a take-home. No early or late tri-term examinations
will be given. For those who miss the tri-term
examination with a valid reason, the final examination will increase in
worth by the amount of the tri-term examination.
Tri-term
II Examination:
The
exam will be 48 hours in
duration starting on FRIDAY, March 11, 2016 and ending on SUNDAY, March
13, 2016 or an in-class examination on SATURDAY, March 12, 2016 (tentative). No
early or late tri-term examinations will be given. For those who miss the tri-term examination
with a valid reason, the final examination will increase in worth by the
amount of the tri-term examination. The examination will be
cumulative with an emphasis on the second half.
Tri-term
III (Final) Examination: The exam will be
either a 48 hour take-home examination
or an in-class examination from 14:00 until 17:00 on Friday, April 22, 2016 (tentative). The examination will be cumulative with an
emphasis on the last third of the course.
FINAL GRADING:
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MARKS |
LETTER GRADE |
GRADE POINT VALUE |
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90.00 – 100 |
A+ |
4.0 |
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85.00 – 89.99 |
A |
4.0 |
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80.00 – 84.99 |
A- |
3.7 |
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75.00 – 79.99 |
B+ |
3.3 |
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70.00 – 74.99 |
B |
3.0 |
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65.00 – 69.99 |
B- |
2.7 |
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60.00 – 64.99 |
C+ |
2.3 |
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55.00 – 59.99 |
C |
2.0 |
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50.00 – 54.99 |
C- |
1.7 |
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45.00 – 49.99 |
D+ |
1.3 |
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40.00 – 44.99 |
D |
1.0 |
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00.00 – 39.99 |
F |
0.0 |