OVERVIEW

The course contains an exposition of the fundamental principles and the main applications of classical electromagnetism and optics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic understanding of the fundamental laws of electromagnetism, based on experimental facts. Role of electromagnetism and optics in other fields of science and technology. Capability of solving simple problems in this context.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

- Understanding of the observational basis of classical electromagnetism and formulation of the relevant laws.

- Maxwell's equations in integral form from experimental evidences. Main applications.

- Maxwell's equation in differential form and their solutions.

- Wave equation from Maxwell's equations. Idea of elecromagnetic wave and connections with optics.

- Solution of simple problems  electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction, geometrical optics and wave optics.

PREREQUISITES

Fisica Generale, Analisi I and  II

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures at the blackboard. About 30% of the total time is devoted to exercises and problems.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Electrostatics in empty space: electric field and electric potential. Systems of conductors. Electrostatics in the presence of dielectric media. Stationary electric currents. Kirchoff's laws. RC circuit. Stationary magnetic field in empty space. Time-dependent electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell equations. Electromagnetic waves: spectrum, energy, sources. Releftion and transmission. Interference and diffraction.
 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, third edition (1998, Benjamin Cummings)

C. Mencuccini, V. Silvestrini, Fisica - Elettromagnetismo e ottica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli (2017)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

february 26, 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Assessment methods

Each exam session consists of a written test and an oral test.

The written test consists of three exercises, each concerning one of the following areas of the course syllabus: electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetism, including waves and circuits. The total duration of the test is three hours.

The dates of the written tests are announced through the Aulaweb platform and published in the exam calendar available on the University website. Registration for the written tests is compulsory and must be completed exclusively through the UniGe portal. Students are advised to pay attention to the registration deadline, which is generally set three days before the exam date.

During the written test, students may consult only the official bibliographic material indicated by the lecturer, which will be made available at the lecturer’s desk. Desks must be cleared of books, notes, and personal devices.

The written test is passed with a score of 18 out of 30 or higher. A positive result in the written test remains valid for the whole current academic year.

The oral test is optional. If a student decides not to take the oral test, the recorded grade will be the lower value between the written-test grade and 25.

During the oral test, the lecturer will assess the student’s understanding of the course contents and presentation skills through questions that may include:

the solution of an exercise;

the analysis of a real situation that can be modelled using the theoretical tools presented in the course;

the discussion of a physical model and of its limits of validity;

the proof of a physical relation.

The actual duration of the oral test is at the lecturer’s discretion.

The lecturer reserves the right to require the oral test in cases deemed appropriate.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Through the written exam, the student's ability to face and solve physics problems related to the topics addressed during the course will be evaluated. The oral test will evaluate the theoretical understanding of the above.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it