Computational Physics Lab | 2023-Spring

Course Name
Computational Physics Lab
Course Number
ph365
Year/Term
Spring-2023
Course Credits
1
Class meeting times
3 hours of lecture per week
Prerequisites
PH213, This course is expected to be taken alongside the Paradigms.
Course description
A project-driven laboratory experience in computational physics. Includes the use of basic mathematical and numerical techniques in computer calculations leading to solutions for typical physical problems. Topics to be covered will coordinate with the Paradigms in Physics course sequence.
Topic/Day
Activities
Resources
Homework Due
Week 0
Introduction to class
Challenge tasks
Computational lab introduction
Using Python as a calculator
Plotting with matplotlib
Challenge
Challenge (pdf)
Week 1
Variables and loops
Syntax, semantics, and pseudocode
Running pseudocode by hand
Syntax, semantics, and pseudocode
Week 2 10/4 and 10/6
Programming on paper continued
Creating plots
Practice plotting with special relativity
Challenge problem for week 2
Challenge problem for week 2 (pdf)
Week 3
Writing functions
Ordering your code
Introducing functions
Challenge problem for Wednesday
Challenge problem for Wednesday (pdf)
Week 4
Debugging techniques
Syntax errors
Debugging
Reading python documentation
The elephant in the room
Challenge for week 4
Challenge for week 4 (pdf)
Week 5
Global and local variables
Challenge for Week 5
Challenge for Week 5 (pdf)
Week 6
Data types
Python data types and data structures
Word frequency
Challenge for week 6
Challenge for week 6 (pdf)
Week 7
Modules and packages
Reading and plotting data
Challenge for week 7
Challenge for week 7 (pdf)
Week 8
Monte Carlo DNA
Challenge for week 8
Challenge for week 8 (pdf)
Week 9
Making code readable
Week 10
Floating point arithmetic
Floating point arithmetic
Long and short programs
Unscheduled
Print formatting
User inputs?
Syntax errors
Commenting code
12/7
Final exam
Final exam
Final exam (pdf)