Program Overview

Course Overview

The course presents Maxwell's theory of classical electromagnetism, with full use of vector calculus in cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. The course builds upon electric and magnetic phenomena introduced in PHYS 115 and PHYS 242, and includes the response of materials to static and time-varying electromagnetic fields.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 Jul 2026 to 8 Nov 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,095.15 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,058.00 for international students
• Lecture start times:
  • Monday 2.10pm
  • Wednesday 2.10pm
  • Thursday 2.10pm
  • Friday 2.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: PHYS 242 (or 222 and 223); one of (MATH 200-299, NWEN 241, STAT 292, COMP 261)
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: Either of PHYS 360, PHYS 361 as determined by the head of school

Taught by

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences — Faculty of Science and Engineering

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Find important dates—including mid-trimester teaching breaks—on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About this Course

Course Content

The course is divided into two parts:

1. Part 1:
   • Refresher on vector analysis - grad, div, curl, Laplacian operators in spherical and cylindrical coordinates
   • Poisson's and Laplace's equations, solutions by separation of variables; spherical harmonics
   • Introduction to numerical method(s)
   • Multipolar expansions
   • Electrostatic and magnetostatic fields in matter; energy associated with the fields
   • Induction
2. Part 2:
   • Maxwell's equations
   • Wave equation in vacuum and in media
   • Complex notation for time-varying fields (phasors)
   • Poynting theorem, momentum
   • Polarisation of electromagnetic waves
   • Reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves at interfaces
   • Numerical simulations of electromagnetic waves in different structures (analytical and numerical methods)

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Describe, including mathematically, the key physical concepts covered in this course.
2. Solve problems involving the concepts listed using appropriate mathematical tools and physical reasoning.
3. Program numerical methods to illustrate or solve simple problems involving electromagnetic fields.
4. Communicate scientific concepts and results with rigour, accuracy, and appropriate style.

How this Course is Taught

This course is designed for in-person study, and students are strongly recommended to attend lectures and tutorials on campus. Some assessment items will require in-person attendance, including in-person tests and exams.

Assessment

• Final Test/Examination (3 hours): 40%
• 5 assignments: 30%
• Activities: 10%
• In-term Test (50 minutes): 20%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%.
2. Obtain at least 25% towards their final mark from their combined in-term test and final test marks.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 6 July 2026 to 16 August 2026
• 31 August 2026 to 11 October 2026

What You'll Need to Get

Students will need a scientific calculator and access to a personal computing device (laptop, tablet, etc.). A supplementary textbook was recommended in 2023: Griffiths, D.J., Introduction to Electrodynamics, Prentice Hall.