Numerical Methods in Physics

About

The course is a hands-on introduction to the numerical and computational techniques used in modern physics. While most bachelor level physics courses present examples where there exist elegant analytical solutions, many real world problems are solved with the help of computers and numerical techniques.

Although we will touch upon theoretical foundations for some of the numerical methods, this course is not meant to replace a formal and rigorous course on numerical methods. Neither it is intended to teach a modern practices in efficient programming. Instead it aims at giving a student an overview of the most used numerical tools and the intuition about the power of quantitative computer models.

Target group

Bachelor students

Course aim

Skills:

- After the course the students will be able to program numerical methods for solving Ordinary and Partial differential equations,
perform stability analyses of the numerical methods, program agent based models, cellular automaton and basic algorithms for
network analyses.

Knowledge:

- Learn how a number of numerical tools can be applied to solving a number of interesting , real-world physics problems including
Schrodinger equation, Planetary motion, Diffusion equations, Forest fire models, Percolation on networks, Chaotic systems, etc.

Competences:

- The student will gain some overview of numerical tools frequently used in modern physics. In addition students will be aware of
the potential caveats and will be able to better direct themselves in the extensive literature on numerical and computational
techniques.

Fee info