Computational Physics using Python

Syllabus

• Introduction to Python/VPython Elementary ideas about modeling and computer simulation. Visualization: graphs and animation.
• Solving simple differential equations using a computer: Euler algorithm, Newton's laws as difference equations. Examples: oscillations, particles in a box, gravitational systems. Simple loops, conditionals and examples of simple simulation.
• Waves on a string. Coupled oscillators. Analytical and numerical analysis. Wave velocity. Superposition, reflection. Non-linear waves and solitons. Event driven animation.
• Systems with many degree of freedom -- statistical mechanics. Monte Carlo simulation. Ising model and phase transitions. Errors.
• Quantum mechanics on a computer -- solving the time independent Schroedinger equation using shooting method. Time dependent numerical solutions -- scattering of wavepackets. Path integral quantum Monte Carlo.

Course Mechanics

• A short homework assignment will be set every week. This will be given out on Thursday and will be due back by the following Thursday. This homework may be associated closely with a lab and may involve computer work.
• Each week we will meet on the Thursday for a lab. This may take the form of a tutorial on a specific programming topic or more frequently the application of computational techniques to explore some particular topic in science. Many of these labs will spread out over two or more weeks. The writeup for a lab will be due one week after completion.
• There will be a final. In addition there will be a final project -- details to be given later in the semester

Final Grades

• Homeworks : 20%
• Final : 15%
• Total labs : 45%
• Final project: 20%

Office hours

Necessary background