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PH3007 Electromagnetism

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Module coordinator

Dr D Cassettari

Dr D Cassettari
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The properties of electromagnetic fields will be explored using a variety of mathematical tools (in particular, vector and differential calculus). Topics will include: charge and current distributions, electro- and magnetostatics, materials, electrodynamics, conservation principles and electromagnetic waves. This module builds on knowledge and skills acquired in prior coursework by developing techniques for solving more advanced problems in electromagnetism.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS PH3081 OR PASS PH3082 ) OR PASS PH2012 AND PASS MT2501 AND PASS MT2503

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE MT4553

Assessment pattern

Written Examination = 80%, Coursework = 20%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures and fortnightly tutorials.

Scheduled learning hours

36

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

114

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Use Maxwell鈥檚 equations in integral form to derive expressions for the fields due to charge/current distributions having planar, cylindrical or spherical symmetry.
  • Calculate electro-magnetostatic fields by direct integration of Coulomb鈥檚 law and the Biot-Savart law; and determine time-independent scalar and vector potentials through a variety of techniques (e.g., method of images, multipole expansion).
  • Translate between E- & B-fields and the auxiliary fields D & H, in terms of the polarisation and magnetisation of a material; and be able to derive (from Maxwell's equations) and apply the boundary conditions on E, B, D & H at the interface of two different linear media.
  • Explain how Poynting鈥檚 theorem is an expression of local energy conservation, and use its mathematical expression to solve problems involving the transport of energy by electromagnetic fields
  • Derive wave equations (and their solutions) for electromagnetic fields in free space and in matter, starting from Maxwell's Equations.
  • Determine the boundary conditions for EM waves at the interface of two different linear media, starting from Maxwell's Equations, and apply them to solve for and interpret the reflected and transmitted waves.

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook at /physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/