PHYS 500
Classical Mechanics
Fall 2006
FINAL EXAM POSTPONED: NIU was closed friday, Dec 01, due to severe winter weather. So, the PHYS 500 final exam, originally scheduled for Dec 01, 5:00-7:30 pm, has been moved to monday, Dec 04, 6:30-8:30 pm. Dr. Thompson's Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 560) class on Dec 04 has been moved to 5:00-6:15 pm. Let the instructor know if you have any questions or concerns. Stay tuned for further updates and spread the word among your classmates in case some have missed this announcement.

Course url: http://nicadd.niu.edu/~dhiman/phys500/

Class meets 1700-1815 hrs, M, W, F, in FW 227

 (Note: This class would normally meet twice a week, but we make it three times since several of the regular classes will be missed because of the instructor's travel schedule.)

Instructor: Dhiman Chakraborty

Office hours: 1100-1200, M, W, F, in the FW 230 (NICADD Offices)

e-mail: dhiman@fnal.gov

phone: (815)753-8804, (630)840-8569, (630)452-6368
(try in this order, but do not leave message at the first two numbers)


Prerequisite: PHYS 400 (or instructor's permission)

Textbooks:
  1. Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics  (2nd ed.)   by V.I. Arnold
        (Springer, 1989, ISBN: 0387968903)
    This comes the closest to what we will cover in this course.
  2. Mechanics, Vol 1  (3rd ed.)   by L. D. Landau & E. M. Lifshitz
        (Elsevier, 1976, ISBN: 0750628960)
    A compact classic, but does not reat canonical equations in sufficient detail.

General remarks :
  1. Homework assigned every monday is due at the beginning of class on the following monday for full credit. Late submissions will be accepted at 50% penalty until the next wednesday when the solutions will be given. Homeworks can be turned in either in the class or in the instructor's mailbox in the Physics department office. Assignment number, student's name, and submission date must appear on top of each homework. Graded homeworks will be returned to students 1 week after submission.
  2. Students are encouraged to extend discussions and cooperation on coursework outside the class room. However, every student must do her/his homeworks independently.
  3. Visit the web page frequently. Homeworks and assignments, as well as any important announcement, will be posted here.
  4. Take advantage of the office hours. Feel free to call/e-mail me anytime if you have an urgent question.
  5. The best way to communicate with me outside the class and office hours is by e-mail.
  6. The amount of time I am willing to spend with you is directly proportional to the amount of time you spend on the course.

Grading scheme (tentative):
  1. Homeworks: 30%,
  2. Q-A sessions, presentations, and class participation: 20%,
  3. One Midterm exam and two quizzes, 30% (date TBA)
  4. Final exam: 20% (date TBA).

Course contents: Most of the main textbooks.