What Is Electricity and Magnetism (E&M)? (Physics Specs)

Electricity and magnetism (E&M) is the branch of physics that explains electric charge, electric and magnetic fields, and how they interact. In a calculus-based college course, you study forces, circuits, induction, and electromagnetic waves using vectors, derivatives, and integrals. The course usually builds on calculus and mechanics, but requirements, credits, and course sequences differ by institution.

E&M can feel like a wall of symbols at first. But each equation describes a physical idea: charges push or pull, fields show where forces can act, and changing magnetic fields can produce electric effects. Once you connect the math to those ideas, the subject becomes easier to navigate.

I often see students focus on the course name and miss a more important question: will this specific class count toward their degree? Checking the course level, lab, and transfer rules before enrolling can prevent a costly detour.

Admissions & Program Overview: What E&M Covers and Who Studies It

Electricity and magnetism is a core area of physics, not a standalone degree or professional license. It studies electric charge, fields, forces, circuits, magnetism, and waves. A calculus-based course is common in physics and some engineering programs, while other majors may take an algebra-based version. Check your degree plan before choosing.

E&M often comes after introductory mechanics, the study of motion and forces. The course may be called “Electricity and Magnetism,” “Electromagnetism,” or “University Physics II.” Names alone do not prove that two courses cover the same material.

What do electricity and magnetism mean in physics?

Electricity describes the behavior of electric charge and the forces and fields around it. Magnetism describes magnetic fields and their effects, including forces on moving charges. E&M links the two: changing electric and magnetic fields can affect one another and can travel through space as electromagnetic waves.

Charge is a property of matter that causes electric forces. It is measured in coulombs (C). Like charges repel, and opposite charges attract.

An electric field, written E, describes the electric force per unit positive charge at a point. Its units are newtons per coulomb (N/C), which are also volts per meter (V/m). A magnetic field, written B, affects moving charges and currents; its unit is the tesla (T).

A key distinction is that fields describe what can happen in a region, while force describes the effect on a particular charge or current. For a charge (q) moving with velocity v through electric and magnetic fields, the Lorentz force is:

F = q(E + v × B)

The cross product, shown by “×,” means the magnetic force depends on the direction of motion and the field. If the charge is not moving, the magnetic part of this force is zero.

How does an E&M course fit into a degree?

E&M is usually part of a sequence, not a complete qualification by itself. A physics or engineering program may require calculus-based physics, labs, and later courses. The exact path depends on the institution and major, so compare the course catalog and degree map rather than relying on a course title.

A physics degree generally does not have one universal programmatic accreditor. Check whether the institution has accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. ABET accredits specific engineering programs; it does not serve as a general accreditor for physics degrees.

There is no universal GPA, test score, or admission deadline for studying E&M. These rules belong to the college or program. E&M itself is a subject, not a credential that qualifies someone for a profession.

Degree Curriculum & Requirements: Prerequisites, Courses, and Labs

A typical calculus-based E&M course builds from mechanics and calculus toward fields, circuits, and electromagnetic waves. Many introductory lecture-and-lab physics courses carry about four to five semester credits, but formats vary. Before enrolling, confirm the required math, lab structure, course level, and role in your degree plan.

What math and physics should I know first?

Most calculus-based introductory E&M courses expect differential and integral calculus, along with introductory mechanics. Differential calculus studies change; integral calculus adds up quantities over an interval or region. Course prerequisites differ, so use the college’s catalog and placement rules as the final guide.

Students should be ready to work with vectors, which show both size and direction. They also use derivatives and integrals to describe how fields vary across space and time. Multivariable calculus and differential equations may be recommended or required for upper-division E&M, where fields depend on several coordinates and change over time.

A practical preparation check is to ask whether you can:

• Resolve a vector into components and work with its direction.
• Use derivatives and integrals in physics problems.
• Apply conservation of energy and charge.
• Explain basic motion, forces, and work from mechanics.

If one skill feels rusty, review it before the term begins. That does not mean you are unprepared; it gives you a clearer plan.

What topics and measurements appear in the course?

The sequence often starts with Coulomb’s law, which gives the electric force between point charges. It then moves from individual forces to fields and uses symmetry to simplify calculations. Later units connect fields to voltage, circuits, magnetic forces, induction, and waves.

The table gives useful starting points, not every condition for each equation. For example, the simple field-and-distance relation for voltage depends on the field and the path being considered. Your course text or instructor will specify the setup.

Gauss’s law links the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge inside it. Faraday’s law links a changing magnetic flux to induced voltage. The course may express these laws in integral or differential form, depending on its level.

At the advanced end, Maxwell’s equations combine the central rules for electric and magnetic fields. Together, they explain how electromagnetic waves travel, including light. In calculus-based courses, students learn to interpret these laws and use symmetry, boundary conditions, and conservation principles to solve problems.

What should I check about course credits and labs?

A lecture-and-lab sequence may be one course with a lab included, or separate lecture and laboratory courses. Four to five semester credits is common for an introductory physics course that combines these elements, but it is not a fixed national rule. Confirm how credits appear on your transcript and degree audit.

Ask an academic adviser or department:

• Is this course algebra-based or calculus-based?
• Does the lab carry separate credit, and is it required?
• Does this course meet my major’s requirement?
• If I transfer it, will it count as a major course or only as an elective?

For transfer or online coursework, ask the receiving department for written confirmation of equivalency before enrolling. A course that looks similar may not meet the same major requirement.

Academic Success & Student Experience: Skills, Assessment, and Advising

Success in E&M comes from linking a physical situation to a diagram, a suitable law, and a careful calculation. Students also need to explain units and assumptions, not just reach a number. Course assessments may include problem sets, exams, lab work, and reports, but each instructor sets the format.

How do students show mastery?

A strong solution begins by defining the system and drawing the relevant charges, fields, or circuit elements. Then identify the known values and the quantity to find. Choose a law that matches the situation, keep vector directions clear, and check that the final units make sense.

For instance, a numerical answer for electric field should have units such as N/C or V/m. If the problem asks for a voltage, an answer in teslas signals a likely setup or unit error. These checks cannot prove every step is correct, but they can catch many mistakes early.

Labs add another kind of evidence. Students may record measurements, compare them with a model, describe uncertainty, and explain differences. A lab is not just a place to “verify the equation”; measurement limits and experimental design are part of the physics.

What can E&M lab examples show?

A classroom demonstration can make an abstract law visible, but it does not replace the course’s full mathematical treatment. These examples show how physical observations connect to E&M ideas. Follow the instructor’s setup and safety rules; do not use household wiring as an experiment.

Example 1: Capacitor and voltage. A capacitor stores separated electric charge. In a controlled lab circuit, students can measure voltage and charge, then examine the relationship (C = Q/V). The comparison helps connect the measured values to capacitance, while the component and circuit conditions affect what the data show.

Example 2: Coil and changing magnet. Moving a magnet relative to a coil can change the magnetic flux through the coil and induce a voltage. Reversing the motion can change the voltage’s direction. This illustrates Faraday’s law and shows why the word “changing” matters: a static magnetic field alone does not produce this induction effect in the same way.

The useful habit in both cases is to connect observation, diagram, equation, and units. Record what changed, what stayed fixed, and how the measurement supports or limits the model.

How should I plan the next course?

Before registration, compare your course catalog, major map, and prerequisite list. E&M may lead to advanced mechanics, waves and optics, modern physics, or upper-division E&M. Not every student follows the same order, and some programs require additional math before the next course.

Use this short sequence:

1. Confirm the course’s prerequisites and placement rules.
2. Check whether the course and lab satisfy your major.
3. Ask about transfer equivalency in writing if another institution will award the credit.
4. Map the next course’s prerequisites with an adviser.
5. Save the catalog entry and department response for your records.

This check is especially important if you are choosing between algebra-based and calculus-based physics. The wrong course may fail to meet a major requirement and delay the next course.

Career Pathways & Employment Outcomes: Further Study and Applied Fields

E&M provides foundational knowledge used across physics and many technical fields, but one course does not certify a student for a job. Its role is to build understanding that later courses and training may extend. Career paths, required degrees, and credentials depend on the work and employer.

Students who continue in physics may study advanced electromagnetism, optics, electronics, or related areas. E&M concepts also appear in fields that work with circuits, sensors, communications, and electromagnetic devices. These examples describe areas of application, not a promise of employment or a qualification earned by completing one course.

For engineering careers, check the full degree’s curriculum and accreditation status. ABET accreditation applies to specific engineering programs, not every program at a college. For physics study, verify institutional accreditation and speak with the department about research options, later coursework, and career preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electricity and Magnetism

These answers clarify common questions about E&M course level, math, credit, and degree planning. Since course rules vary, use them as a starting point, then confirm local requirements with the college catalog, department, or adviser before making enrollment or transfer decisions.

Is electricity and magnetism the same as electromagnetism?
The terms often refer to the same physics area. “Electromagnetism” highlights the link between electric and magnetic fields.

Is E&M a course or a degree?
E&M is a physics subject taught in courses. It is not, by itself, a degree or professional credential.

Do I need calculus for E&M?
A calculus-based course typically requires differential and integral calculus. Some majors take an algebra-based version, so check your program’s requirements.

How many credits is an E&M course?
Introductory lecture-and-lab physics courses often carry about four to five semester credits. Credit values and lab formats vary by institution.

Is the lab always included in the course credits?
No. Some colleges combine lecture and lab, while others list them separately. Confirm the course catalog and degree requirements.

Can an algebra-based E&M course count toward a physics major?
It may not meet a major’s calculus-based physics requirement. Ask the department that will award the credit and get its answer in writing.

What is the difference between an electric field and a magnetic field?
An electric field exerts force on electric charge. A magnetic field acts on moving charges and currents, with effects that depend on direction.

What are Maxwell’s equations?
They are four core equations that describe how electric and magnetic fields relate to charge, current, and changes in the fields. They also explain electromagnetic waves.

Does ABET accredit physics degrees?
ABET accredits specific programs, including certain engineering programs. It is not a universal programmatic accreditor for physics degrees.

What should I take after E&M?
The next course depends on your major and college. Common later subjects include advanced mechanics, waves and optics, modern physics, or upper-division E&M. Check the prerequisite chain first.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)