29::196 Computational Physics

Fall Semester 2005

Instructor: Prof. Yannick Meurice


Course Content

An introduction to the contemporary use of computers by physicists.  Basic programming techniques will be introduced from the beginning; No previous knowledge of programming language is assumed. The course will focus on basic concepts used in the study of dynamical systems, numerical solutions of ordinary differential equations in classical mechanics, boundary value problems in electricity and magnetism, eigenvalue problems in quantum mechanics, Monte Carlo simulations in statistical mechanics and methods of data analysis. The languages used will be Mathematica and C++.   The course will also provide a practical introduction to the use of open source codes such as Linux. Prerequisites: 29:115, 29:129, 29:140. May be repeated.

Instructor

Prof. Yannick Meurice

Textbooks

Main textbooks:

R. Zimmerman and F. Olness, Mathematica for Physics, Springer,  Second Edition 2001.
The  input  code used in that book is available at  http://www.physics.smu.edu/~olness/www/book/edition2/OlnessZimmermanBook/
D. Yevick, Computational Physics and Object-Oriented Programing with C++,  Cambridge 2005.
J.Newman,  Monte Carlo Methods in Statistical Physics, Oxford University Press, 1999.
W. Press, S. Teukolsky, W. Vetterling and B. Flannery, Numerical Recipes in C++,  Cambridge,  2003.

Homework

Reading assignments and  problem sets will be provided each week during the class. They will be posted at http://www-hep.physics.uiowa.edu/~meurice/cp/todo5.html .  These assignments must be completed individually (see note on plagiarism below). Several individual projects will also be assigned .

Examinations and Final Grade

The final grade will be based on the homework assignements, individual projects, short presentations related to the individual  projects and in-class participation.

Class Attendance

Attendance at lectures is required. You are strongly encouraged to ask questions during the lectures. There are no ``stupid questions''.

Computer Lab

Five computers will be available in VAN 407E. Part of the individual assignements will be to set up these computers with Linux and perform simple tasks.
If time permits at the end of the semester, these computers will be configured as a cluster and used for parallel programming.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY MAIN OFFICE

AVAILABILTY OF MODIFICATIONS

PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT COMPLAINTS

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING

A student suspected of plagiarism or cheating must inform the student in writing as soon as possible after the incident has been observed or discovered.  Instructors who detect cheating or plagiarism may decide, in consultation with the departmental executive officer, to reduce the student's grade on the assignment or the course, even to assign an F. The instructor writes an account of the chronology of the plagiarism or cheating incident for the DEO (Associate Chair), who sends an endorsement of the written report of the case to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, CLAS. A copy of the report will be sent to the student.

A detailed policy is printed in the Schedule of Courses and the College's Student Academic Handbook.

AMOUNT OF WORK EXPECTED

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES