Classical
Electromagnetic Theory (Physics 541)
Professor Volt (played by Mike Guidry)
guidry@utk.edu (Office: 308 South College)
Spring,
2026
TA: Yulin Shen (yshen31@vols.utk.edu)
Class Homepage: http://eagle.phys.utk.edu/guidry/541/
Class Meeting Times
2:30-3:45 pm, TR
306 Nielsen Physics Building
Grade
Homework: 25% .
Test 1: 25%
Test 2: 25%
Test 3: 25%
Here is the homework assignment schedule. Since the assignment schedule may require revision as the semester progresses, you should always consult the current online schedule for assignments. Solution sheets for previous homework will be posted here.
Tests will be either take-home, or in-class open-book; details to follow.
We will handle all assignments and any take-home tests electronically. Since a large number of assignments must be processed, you are asked to adhere to this set of rules concerning turning in your homework and test assignments.
Textbook
No textbook purchase is required. We will use my lecture notes. They are available online in typeset book format and in lecture presentation format:
Notes in book format (draft in development; do not distribute to others)
Notes in class lecture format (draft in development; do not distribute to others. This is the format I will use for class presentation)
Please note that both of these documents are under constant development and revision, so you should always consult the present versions online as the course proceeds. Note that the book format version has the full features of a a textbook; for example, it has a complete index that facilitates finding specific topics.
Also recommended for reference and review but not required for the course:
Classical Electrodynamics, J. D. Jackson (Wiley, 1999)
Modern Electrodynamics, A. Zangwill (Cambridge University Press, 2022)
Classical Electromagnetism in a Nutshell, A. Garg (Princeton University Press, 2012),
Advanced Classical Electromagnetism, R. M. Wald (Princeton University Press, 2022), and
Electromagnetism, D. Tong (Cambridge University Press, 2025).
The book Introduction to Electrodynamics by D. J. Griffiths (Cambridge University Press, 2024) is advanced undergraduate level, but it is pedagogical and is a useful reference, even for a graduate-level course.
Computing Supplements
We will include solving some problems numerically and supplemental computing resources will be provided for each chapter. You may use other languages if you choose, but the default will be Python, so you should be certain that you have access to a computer with Python installed. Introductions to the use of Python and graphics with Python will be provided in the resource material for those not yet conversant with the language.
AI Supplements
We will include solving some problems with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) and supplemental GenAI resources will be provided for each chapter. You may use other AIs if you choose but the default I will assume is Google Gemini 3 (for AI) and Google notebookLM (for AI organization). The standard versions of these are free and should be adequate for this course. However, students may be eligible to access the more powerful Pro versions for free (normal subscription price is $20/month, so a pretty good deal); see information about student Pro access.
Student Solutions Manual
A Student Solutions Manual is available to students taking the course. It contains full solutions for a select set of problems at the ends of chapters that have not been assigned as homework (those marked with *** at the end of the problem; presently about 40% of the total number of problems).
Students with Disabilities
Any student who feels that they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Student Disability Services (http://sds.utk.edu; phone: 865-974-6087; email: sda@utk.edu) to coordinate reasonable academic accommodations. You are also welcome to discuss such issues with me, if you wish.