640-364 Computational Physics

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Physics 640-321 or 640-341; Mathematics 620-231 and 620-232.

(For subjects completed prior to 1998, the Mathematics and Statistics departmental code 620- should be replaced by the superseded Mathematics departmental code 618-)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject will introduce students to the use of computational techniques in the investigation of a wide class of problems in physics. Using professional computing tools, students will learn programming and a range of numerical methods commonly used in physics research and apply these techniques to the investigation of physical systems through the completion of projects.

No prior computing experience is necessary.

Four projects will be based on model problems in physics: molecular vibrations, stellar structure, quantum spin systems, large-scale magnetic systems. Students will also complete a research style project based on one of a choice of topics from the research groups within the School of Physics, including: Universality in the Ising Model, Fourier Analysis and Computer Aided Tomography (CAT), Many Electron Atoms, Hydrodynamics, Interaction of Radiation with Matter, Gravitational Lensing by Point Masses, Atom Optics.

Techniques include: differencing, root finding, quadrature; ordinary and partial differential equations; matrix eigenvalue problems; Monte Carlo methods; fast Fourier transform.

Assessment

Five computer projects during semester (100%).

Prescribed Texts

• Koonin S E, Computational Physics. Benjamin/Cummings.