No graduate level electromagnetism? (Oh Jackson where art thou)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the availability of graduate-level electrodynamics courses, particularly those using the Jackson textbook, in various master's programs. Participants express surprise at the apparent scarcity of such courses in their respective institutions and explore the implications for theoretical physics education.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the absence of a graduate-level electrodynamics class at the Perimeter Institute and other universities, questioning its importance in the curriculum.
  • Another participant mentions that their old university, Warwick, does include some electrodynamics in its master's program, suggesting that such courses may be more common than implied.
  • A participant from Belgium expresses confusion over the lack of emphasis on electrodynamics in programs focused on theoretical physics.
  • One participant asserts that in U.S. physics PhD programs, a Jackson-level course is typically required.
  • Another participant states that all universities they researched required at least one quarter of graduate-level electrodynamics.
  • There is a humorous sentiment shared that every physics graduate student should endure Jackson multiple times, indicating a shared experience among some participants.
  • One participant reflects on the possibility of self-studying Jackson due to the perceived lack of formal coursework.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the prevalence of graduate-level electrodynamics courses, with some asserting their commonality while others highlight their absence in specific programs.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different educational systems and programs, which may influence the availability and emphasis on graduate-level electrodynamics courses. There are also varying personal experiences regarding the necessity and rigor of studying Jackson.

nonequilibrium
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Next year I'm doing the one year master program at Perimeter Institute, and I was surprised to realize that there is no grad-level electrodynamics class (level Jackson, I would suppose?). I then checked the Math Tripos III (applied math, aka theoretical physics) course list (where I also considered going) and no grad level electrodynamics class either! Also, in my current university, I checked the master's program: no grad level electrodynamics.

So far I've only had a Griffiths level class, and when going through that it became clear that Jackson was the next step-up, for a grad level class, and I kind of assumed that at one point there would be a grad level class using that book, about electrodynamics. But the above seems to suggest that a grad level electrodynamics class is rare? What's the deal? Is it not important enough to be part of the grad curriculum (not even optional!)? Or are the above three universities the odd ones out?
 
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There is some electrodynamics in the master's at my old university (warwick). And I checked out another university (southampton) and they have some electrodynamics in their masters. So it seems common... I'm guessing since you mentioned maths tripos 3, that you were considering cambridge, so you are from the uk as well?
 
Nope, Belgium. Hm, odd... Especially since both Tripos III and Perimeter seem to focus on theoretical physics, and I would think that E&M is a non-negligible part of that.
 
That does seem odd. In physics PhD programs in the U.S., a Jackson-level E&M course is pretty much de rigeur AFAIK.
 
Every university I looked at required at least 1 quarter of graduate level E&M.
 
every physics grad student should have to suffer through jackson not once, but twice...it builds character
 
Dr Transport said:
every physics grad student should have to suffer through jackson not once, but twice...it builds character

We had to take two semesters of Jackson as undergrads.
 
George Jones said:
We had to take two semesters of Jackson as undergrads.
Where did you go?
 
We had to take two semesters of Jackson as undergrads.
That sounds harsh, but perhaps also an indication that I should simply try to self-study Jackson.
 

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