Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code PHYS4450
Date2023/09/24 21:38
Enquiry for Course Details
   <<< This course is not offered in 2023 - 2024. Course details are subject to change. >>>
PHYS4450 Advanced electromagnetism (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof X D Cui, Physics < xdcui@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof X D Cui,Physics)
Course Objectives Build on the advanced undergraduate level course PHYS3450, this course further discusses concepts and mathematical techniques in electromagnetism through special topics and applications.  This is an elective course for the theoretical physics theme.  This is also an essential course for those who plan to pursue postgraduate studies in physics and related disciplines.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include Maxwell's Equations, Poynting theorem, wave equations, reflection and transmission of waves, wave guides, retarded potentials, gauge transformations, dipole radiation, special theory of relativity.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 review and discuss the fundamental physics in classical electrodynamics
CLO 2 apply Maxwell's equations to analyze complicated electrostatic and magnetic phenomena
CLO 3 evaluate how special relativity is incorporated in the study of electromagnetism
CLO 4 formulate and solve problems in electromagnetism using appropriate mathematical techniques
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in (PHYS2155 or PHYS3150) and PHYS3450
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 N        To be confirmed Examination To be confirmed
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self study 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 20 CLO 1,2,3,4
Examination 3-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3,4
Test 30 CLO 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
D. J. Griffiths: Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd ed., (Prentice-Hall, 1999)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
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