MATH 437
Electricity and Magnetism for Mathematicians Fall 2013
Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning
This is not the current course catalog

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Maxwell’s equations are four simple formulas, linking electricity and magnetism, that are among the most profound equations ever discovered. These equations led to the prediction of radio waves, to the realization that a description of light is also contained in these equations and to the discovery of the special theory of relativity. In fact, almost all current descriptions of the fundamental laws of the universe are deep generalizations of Maxwell’s equations. Perhaps even more surprising is that these equations and their generalizations have led to some of the most important mathematical discoveries (where there is no obvious physics) of the last 25 years. For example, much of the math world was shocked at how these physics generalizations became one of the main tools in geometry from the 1980s until today. It seems that the mathematics behind Maxwell is endless. This will be an introduction to Maxwell’s equations, from the perspective of a mathematician.
The Class: Format: lecture
Limit: none
Expected: 15
Class#: 1762
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: evaluation will be based primarily on performance on homework and exams
Prerequisites: MATH 350 (formerly 301) or MATH 351 (formerly 305), and MATH 355 (formerly 312), or permission of instructor. Not open to students who have taken MATH 337. No physics background required
Distributions: Division III Quantitative/Formal Reasoning

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