KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE PROPOSAL
New Course (NOT General Education)
I. Proposed Information
Course Prefix and Number: PHYS 3400
Course Title: Electricity & Magnetism with Applications
Credit Hours (format should be # - # - #): 3 - 0 - 3
Prerequisites: "C" or better in Math 2202 and Phys 2212 (or equivalent)"
(Prerequisites are courses or requirements that non-negotiable and must be successfully completed by any
student before enrolling in the course or program under consideration. Corequisites are courses that can be
taken before or in the same semester as the course under consideration. Courses at the upper-division level
will require lower-division competencies or prerequisites.)
Course Description for the Catalog:
The primary objective of this course is to present the experimental and theoretical basis of the principles
of electricity & magnetism and their application in everyday phenomena and devices. The course will
begin with the concept of an electric field and will develop the idea of electric potential energy differences.
Application to conductor, capacitors and simple electric circuits will be discussed. Next magnetic forces
and field are introduced as well as the concept of inductance and magnetic field energy. Applications to
RL circuits and devices (e.g., security screens, electric generators and motors) will be considered. Lastly
unification of electricity and magnetism will be established through the Theory of Special Relativity and
will culminate in the derivation of the electromagnetic waves equation from Maxwell’s Equations. To
underscore all of the conceptual developments of the course electromagnetic phenomenon will be further
explored in the natural world in both terrestrial and astrophysical contexts. Mathematical ideas of vector
calculus (e.g., curl, divergence) and simple differential equations will be developed in parallel with the
course content. General concepts used and developed in this course (waves, energy conservation,
special relativity, vector calculus all overlap with other courses in the sequence and will significantly
reinforce student learning.
II. Justification for Course
A. Explain assessment findings which led to course development.
This course will be of value to undergraduate students in Mathematics & Chemistry who wish deepen
their content knowledge in preparation for Graduate school or other technical careers. It will also be
offered as a graduate course to support the MAT in science program.
B. Explain for Prerequisites:
1. What is the substance of content in each prerequisite that commands its inclusion as a
prerequisite to the proposed course?
This course will build on the content that is covered in the Phys 2212 course. The course math
coverage requires familiarity with the math content covered in Math 2203.
2. What is the desired sequence of prerequisites?
Only completion of both courses is required.
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3. What is the rationale for requiring the above sequence of prerequisites?
This is a higher level course. The content requires familiarity with the content covered in both prerequisites.
4. How often are the required prerequisites offered?
They are offeres every fall and spring semester.
C. Give any other justification for the course.
This course will give science majors added choices in the courses in the physics 3000 level elective
courses that they are required to take.
III. Additional Information
A. Where does this course fit sequentially and philosophically within the program of study.
This course is not part of an undergraduate program. However, its graduate version is a required course
for students wishing to become High School Physics Teachers.
B. What efforts have been made to ensure that this course does not duplicate the content of
other college courses with similar titles, purposes, or content?
There are no courses with similar title or content at KSU.
C. Where will the course be located in the program (elective, required in Area F, required or
elective for the major)? Indicate and justify its placement in the curriculum.
It will be an 3000 level physics elective for most science majors.
D. How often will this course be offered?
Once a year, depending on MAT program growth.
E. All sections of the course will be taught with the understanding that the following apply:
1. Purpose of the Course
The primary objective of this course is to present the experimental and theoretical basis of the principles of
electricity & magnetism and their application in everyday phenomena and devices.
2. Objectives of the Course
(1)Understand the evidence for charges and electrostatic forces (2)Understand work and energy in the
context of electricity and magnetism (3)Understand the difference between conductors, insulators,
capacitors, and resistors in circuit components and devices. (4)Understand the theory of Special
Relativity, including the experimental confirmations and consequence and theoretical implications
(5)Understand the experimental results of Faraday and how they lead to the derivation of Maxwell’s
equations. (6)Understand the signature of electromagnetic processes in naturally occurring phenomenon
in both terrestrial and space environments.
3. Course Content
electrostatics, Coulomb’s law ; superposition and vectors electric fields & Gauss’ Law ; electric fields & Gauss’
Law ; curl & divergence of electric fields; electric potential ; conductors & capacitors ; DC circuits ; RC circuits ;
magnetic forces and fields, Ampere’s Law ; inductance, magnetic fields energy ; Special Relativity 4 vectors ; wave
equation
F. What instructional methodologies will be incorporated into the course to stimulate group
process, writing skills, multiculturalism, and educational outcomes?
Lectures, classroom demonstrations, classroom discussions, hands on activities.
G. Outline the plan for continuous course assessment. What are the department, school, college,
or professional standards which will be used for the assessment? How will it be determined
that the course is current, meeting the educational needs of students and responsive to
educational standards? How often will the course assessment be done by the department?
Normal departmental procedures will be used every time the course is taught. In addition to student
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evaluation, the instructor conducts a self evaluation of the course. Results are discussed with the head
department.
H. REQUIRED SYLLABUS CONTENTS (See Faculty Handbook on page 3.10 for details about KSU
syllabi.)
1) Course Prefix Number and Title
PHYS 3400
2) Instructor: T. N. LaRosa
Office: Science 439
Telephone: (770) 423-6038
3) Learning Objectives
(1)Understand the evidence for charges and electrostatic forces (2)Understand work and energy
in the context of electricity and magnetism (3)Understand the difference between conductors,
insulators, capacitors, and resistors in circuit components and devices. (4)Understand the theory
of Special Relativity, including the experimental confirmations and consequence and theoretical
implications (5)Understand the experimental results of Faraday and how they lead to the
derivation of Maxwell’s equations. (6)Understand the signature of electromagnetic processes in
naturally occurring phenomenon in both terrestrial and space environments.
4) Text(s)
Purcell, E.M., Electricity & Magnetism (Berkeley Physics Course Vol II 2nd edition: McGraw Hill)
5) Course Requirements/Assignments
There will be two (2) mid-term exams and final. No make up exams unless I am notified prior to
the exam. Missed exams will be replaced with the grade made on the final. Exams will consist of
problems similar to those assigned for homework. Hence problem solving is an essential aspect of
the course. The purpose of problem solving is not to obtain an answer but rather to extend and
cultivate your ability to think independently and creatively. A substantial fraction of class time will be
devoted to problem solving and you will be expected to work a significant number of problems for
homework. Solutions to homework problems that are assigned will be provided or discussed in class.
6) Evaluation and Grading
homework 30%, 2 mid-term exams 40%, final exam 30%, A> 90%,B > 80%C> 70%,D > 60%F<
60%
7) Weekly Schedule of Topics
Jan 10 – electrostatics, Coulomb’s law
Jan 17 – superposition and vectors electric fields & Gauss’ Law
Jan 24 – electric fields & Gauss’ Law
Jan 31 -curl & divergence of electric fields
Feb 7 -electric potential
Feb 14 -conductors & capacitors
Feb 21 Exam I
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Feb 28 -DC circuits
Mar 7 -Spring Break
Mar 21 RC circuits
Mar 28 – magnetic forces and fields, Ampere’s Law
Apr 4 – inductance, magnetic fields energy
Apr 11 – Exam II
Apr 18 -Special Relativity -4 vectors
Apr 25 – wave equation
May 2 – Comprehensive Final Exam
8) Academic Honesty Statement
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct,
as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct
addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and
cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University
records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials,
malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student
identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established
procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an "informal" resolution by a
faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a
student to the Code of Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement.
9) Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend the lectures, take all tests and the final exam, and complete all
homework assignments.
IV. Resources and Funding Required
A. What resources will be redirected to accommodate this course?
Regular department resources.
B. Explain what items will cause additional cost to the department/school/college.
Personnel
If enrollement exceeds 24 students, we will need a new faculty line.
Computer Technology
None
Library resources
None
Equipment
None
Space
None
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V. COURSE MASTER FORM
This form will be completed by the requesting department and will be sent to the Office of the Registrar
once the course has been approved by the Office of the
President. The form is required for all new courses.
DISCIPLINE:
Physics
COURSE NUMBER:
3400
COURSE TITLE FOR LABEL:
(Note: Limit 30 spaces)
Electromagnetism
CLASS-LAB-CREDIT HOURS:
3-0-3
Approval, Effective Semester:
Fall 2008
Grades Allowed (Regular or S/U):
Regular
If course used to satisfy CPC, what areas?
Learning Support Programs courses which are required as prerequisites: None
APPROVED:
________________________________________________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs or Designee
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KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE PROPOSAL
New Course (NOT General Education)
Course Prefix and Number: PHYS 3400
Responsible Department: Biology and Physics
Proposed Effective Date:
Fall 2008
Signature Page
Submitted by:
Name
Approved
Not Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Approved
Approved
Date
Department Curriculum Committee
Date
General Education Council*
Date
Professional Teacher Education Unit Program Area*
Date
Department Chair
Date
Not Approved
Not Approved
College/School Curriculum Committee AND/OR Teacher
Education Council*
Date
Approved
Approved
Approved
Not Approved
College/School Dean
Date
Undergraduate Policies and Curriculum Committee
Date
Dean of University College
Date
Not Approved
Not Approved
*For curriculum proposals involving General Education courses, there should be collaboration by the
Department Curriculum Committee and the General Education Council. For Teacher Preparation
proposals, there should be collaboration by the Department Curriculum Committee, the Professional
Teacher Education Unit (PTEU) Program Area Committee, the Teacher Education Council, and the
College/School Curriculum Committee.
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Form updated Spring 2006.