PHY 337/637 Analytical Mechanics

TR 12:30 -1:45 PM OPL 103 http://www.wfu.edu/~natalie/f23phy337/

Instructor: Natalie Holzwarth Office:300 OPL e-mail:natalie@wfu.edu

General Information

This course is a one-half semester introduction to mathematical optimization tools (the calculus of variation) and their application to the analysis of the physics of motion (Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms). The textbook is available online: Variational Principles in Classical Mechanics by Professor Douglas Cline from the University of Rochester. Students who prefer a print version of the textbook can order it from the website. Since this is a one-half semester course, we will focus on Chapters 5 - 8 and 13.

The course will consist of the following components:
  • In person meetings TR 12:30-1:45 PM in Olin 103.* Starting with the second meeting, the sessions will focus on discussion of the material, particularly answering your prepared and spontaneous questions.
  • Asynchronous review of annotated lecture notes and corresponding textbook sections. Starting with Lecture 2, the annotated lecture notes will be available one day before the corresponding synchronous online discussion. For each class meeting, students will be expected to submit (by email) at least one question for class discussion at least 3 hours before the in person class meetings. The practice of formulating questions is one of the important tools of science. Note that there are no "silly" questions.
  • Participation in weekly tutorial sessions, discussing example problems from each chapter from the textbook covered in class, concepts and theories, and possibly material associated with homework problems.
  • Homework sets. Typically there will be one homework problem associated with each class meeting that is due the following Monday and which will be graded by the instructor.
  • There will be 1 or 2 exams associated with this course. Details to be determined.
    *The classroom is equiped with technology for zoom connections if needed. Student needing such accomodation should email instructor at least 10 minutes before class.

    It is likely that your grade for the course will depend upon the following factors:

    Class participation

    35%

    Problem sets*

    35%

    Exams

    30%

    *In general, there will a new assignment after each lecture, so that for optimal learning, it would be best to complete each assignment before the next scheduled lecture. According to the honor system, all work submitted for grading purposes should represent the student's own best efforts.

    Dates of note:

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    Last modfied: Monday, 28-Aug-2023 08:26:41 EDT