Physics 300: Special Topic: Computational Physics

Computational tools and techniques are used ubiquitously in physics, and are integral to how physics is currently practiced. This course combines mathematical methods and computational tools relevant for modeling, solving and visualizing physical systems that cannot be solved by conventional analytical techniques. Topics from classical and quantum mechanics will be analyzed, along with applications to other areas of student interest. Methods taught include numerical solution of system of equations, differential equation solvers, Fourier transforms, optimization techniques, eigenvalue and other matrix problems in linear algebra. It will also focus on data analysis using linear regression. Students will use Python as the primary programming language, though syntaxial skills developed in computer programming can be translated to other languages as well. The course will consist of lectures and hands-on computational sessions, structured around individual and collaborative problem solving, and mini-projects.