PHY 404/604, COMPUTATIONAL TECHNIQUES IN PHYSICS
SPRING 2012

Instructor: Tao Pang
Office: BPB 215
Textbook: Tao Pang, "An Introduction to Computational Physics, 2/e" (Cambridge University Press, 2006).
Lecture: T R 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. in BPB 249
Office Hours: T R 7:30 - 8:15 a.m., F 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., or by appointment
This course covers major computational techniques used in solving advanced problems in physics and related fields. Most materials from Chapters 1-7 plus selections from Chapters 8-12 of the textbook will be discussed. The goal of the course is to provide the students with a unique environment to develop extraordinary skills in computer programming, scientific computing, and problem solving.

The prerequisites for the course are some basic knowledge of engineering physics and a familiarity with at least one programming language, such as, C, C++, Fortran, Python, or Java. The expected learning outcome of the course is the ability to solve problems similar to those given in the homework assignments or exams on a computer independently.

Every student needs to have access to a computer that has a minimum computing capacity for carrying out homework assignments and exams. There will be homework assigned weakly, a midterm, and a final. The final grade will be based on the performance in the homework assignments (30%), midterm (30%), and final (40%). Note that the homework assignments, midterm, final, and relation between the final grades and the performance in the course may be different between PHYS 604 and PHYS 404 students.

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