Course syllabus spring 2021
Course syllabus spring 2021
Title
Computational Physics: Introductory Course
Swedish title
Beräkningsbaserad fysik: Introduktionskurs
Course code
FY130A
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UG / Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Technology and Society
Syllabus approval date
2015-05-21
Syllabus valid from
2016-01-18
Entry requirements
1. The equivalent of English 6/English B in Swedish secondary school.
2. At least 15 credits of Calculus.
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
Single subject course.
Course objectives
The purpose of the course is that the student shall develop knowledge and basic skills to use numerical methods for modeling physical systems. The aim of the course is also that the student obtains skills to implement numerical methods in Matlab / GNU Octave.
Course contents
Numerical methods for:
- Basic mathematical operations
- Solution of differential equations
- Solution of eigenvalue problems
- Monte-Carlo simulations
and
- Programming in Matlab / GNU Octave
- The use of numerical methods for modeling physical systems
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the programme the student shall:
1. demonstrate basic knowledge of numerical methods
2. demonstrate basic programming skills
3. demonstrate an understanding of the applicability of numerical methods for modeling physical systems and its advantages and disadvantages
Competence and skills
On completion of the programme the student shall:
4. demonstrate skills to use numerical methods for modeling physical systems
5. demonstrate the ability to estimate the errors in the use of numerical methods
6. demonstrate skills to write and develop simple programs in Matlab / GNU Octave
7. demonstrate an ability to describe the results of a simulation in a project report
Judgement and approach
On completion of the programme the student shall:
8. demonstrate ability to critically examine and evaluate a model of a physical system
Learning activities
The education is offered exclusively online; attendance or other physical presence is neither planned nor required. Students are expected to have access to a computer with Internet access.
Assessment
Student performance is assessed by:
- A number of small assignments (4,5 credits) Learning outcomes 1-2, 4, 6
- A final project in the form of a report (3 credits) Learning outcomes 1-8
Requirements for Pass: Passed assignments and passed final project
Course literature and other study material
Compendia of theory and task description are provided.
Additional literature is chosen in consultation with the teacher / tutor depending on the direction of the project.
Reference Literature:
- Stahel, Andreas (2015). Octave at BFH-TI Biel, Lecture notes, available at staff.ti.bfh.ch/sha1/Labs/PWF/Documentation/OctaveAtBFH.pdf
- Koonin, Steven E. (1998). Computational Physics, Reading, MA, Perseus Books. ISBN: 9780201386233
Course evaluation
The university provides all students who are participating in, or have completed, a course to express their experiences and views on the course through a course evaluation which is organized at the end of the course. The university will collate the course evaluations and provide information about their results and any actions prompted by them. The results shall be made available to the students. (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
When a course is no longer given, or the contents have been radically changed, the student has the right to re-take the examination, which will be given twice during a one year period, according to the syllabus which was valid at the time of registration.