EE 141

Electromagnetic Field Theory

Professor K. E. Oughstun
363 Votey Hall
The Dunder-Mifflin School of Engineering
College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences
University of Vermont
656-4301
oughstun@cems.uvm.edu

Fall 2014

Motivation

Course Information
Course Description (UVM 20132014 Catalogue) Fundamentals of
electromagnetic field theory, vector analysis, electric and magnetic
fields, potential theory, boundary conditions and boundary value
problems, Maxwell-Lorentz theory.
(Four Credit Hours) Prerequisites: EE 4, Math 271, Physics 125.
Class Time: MWF 4:054:55 (207 Vty) & F 1:552:45 (101 Prkns).
Office Consultation Hours: M&W 5:006:00 PM & by appointment.
Text: Paul G. Huray, Maxwells Equations, IEEE Press/Wiley (2010).
Prerequisite Physics Text Level: R. Wolfson & J. Pasachoff, Physics
for Scientists & Engineers, Addison-Wesley (or equivalent).
Prerequisite Calculus Text Level: J. Stewart, Calculus, Brooks/Cloe
Pub. Co. (or equivalent).

The Nature of Electromagnetism

Electric and magnetic fields are fundamentally fields of force that
ultimately originate from electric charge. Whether this force field is
referred to as electric or magnetic or electromagnetic hinges upon the
motional state of the electric charge relative to the point at which
the field observation is made. This engineering science subject matter
then naturally involves the Special Theory of Relativity.
Electric charges at rest relative to the observation point give rise
to an electrostatic field at that point.
A relative motion of the charges results in a convective current
and provides an additional magnetic force field. This additional
field is a magnetostatic field if the charges are all moving at
constant velocities relative to the observation point.
If the charges undergo accelerated motions, both time-varying
electric and magnetic fields are produced that are coupled; they
are then referred to as an electromagnetic field.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radio Frequency Bands

Student Performance Assessment

100% of your course grade is based upon your exam performance:
In class exams (40%) are closed book and are typically given
during the second Friday class period. Notes, texts, calculators,
i-phones, etc. are strictly forbidden.
Take home exam problems (20%) are open-book but are to be
done without any help from any other individual.
The Final Exam (40%) is closed book and is based on the entire
course material. Notes, texts, calculators, i-phones, etc. are
strictly forbidden.
All exams will be counted towards your final performance grade in the
course; i.e. I do not discard the lowest grade you earn.

Excuses to Avoid

Rules of Class Etiquette

Class attendance and on-time arrival at the start of class is
expected.
Absences will be duly noted and may result in a decrease in
individual performance assessment (i.e. your grade). You are
responsible for obtaining the missed lecture notes from your
fellow students. I will not provide them.
Talking between students during the lecture is frowned upon
=: (
Cell phone, texting, twittering, and other PDA use during class
is strictly forbidden.
Any food brought into class must be shared.

Rules of Class Etiquette

Please do ask questions during class about the lecture. They
may help to clarify the topic not only for you, but for others in
the class as well.
Please try not to email me with questions about the course. Ask
them in class instead so that all may benefit.
Back in the 1960s when I was an undergraduate, the Professor
lorded over the class and the students suffered at his or her
whim. Today, university administrators view the students as
customers and the faculty as their servers (or facilitators). Both
of these extreme points of view are wrong.

Rules of Class Etiquette - Post Mortem

I do not participate in any of the so-called Social Media activities,

regardless of how popular they are. In particular:
Please do not ask me to friend you on Facebook.
Please do not ask me to accept any invitation to Linkedin after
you graduate.
If you do perform well in this course, I will consider requests for
personal references.