PHYSICS 7534 - Computational Physics
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 7534 Course Computational Physics Coordinating Unit School of Chemistry & Physics(Inactive) Term Semester 2 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Prerequisites Sufficient Physics and Mathematics knowledge equivalent to 'Assumed Knowledge' Incompatible PHYSICS 3534 Assumed Knowledge PHYSICS 2510, PHYSICS 2532, PHYSICS 2534, MATHS 2101 or MATHS 2201, MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2202 or equivalent Assessment Written examination, projects, assignments & tests Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Rodney Crewther
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, students should be able to:
- identify modern programming methods and describe the extent and limitations of computational methods in physics,
- identify and describe the characteristics of various numerical methods.
- independently program computers using leading-edge tools,
- formulate and computationally solve a selection of problems in physics,
- use the tools, methodologies, language and conventions of physics to test and communicate ideas and explanations.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1 – 2 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3 – 5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1 – 5 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1 – 5 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1 – 5 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 5 -
Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
This course requires the following texts and other resources:
Text
- Fortran 95/2003 Explained, Metcalf, Reid and Cohen (Oxford)
References
- Fortran 90/95 Explained, Metcalf and Reid (Oxford)
- Fortran 90/95 for Scientists and Engineers, Chapman (McGraw-Hill Higher Education)
- Fortran 90 Programming, Ellis, Philips and Lahey (Addison-Wesley)
- Numerical Recipes in FORTRAN: The Art of Scientific Computing, Press, et al. (Cambridge University Press)
- Computational Physics -Fortran Version, Koonin and Meredith (Addison Wesley).
- "Mastering Matlab 7" by Duane C. Hanselman and Bruce L. Littlefield, Prentice Hall, 2005 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is delivered by the following means:
Internal
- 3 Lectures of 1 hour each per week
- 1 Tutorial of 3 hours per weekWorkload
No information currently available.
Learning Activities Summary
The course content includes the following:
Introduction to UNIX/Linux
- common UNIX commands and options; the emacs editor
- remote access to computer clusters
Programming
- conditional statements
- loops and arrays
- modules, functions and subroutines, scoping of variables
Symbolic computation
- Algebraic simplifications, matrix algebra, symbolic differentiation and integration, solutions of differential equations and special functions
Numerical Methods
- numerical integration, approximation of integrands by linear and quadratic polynomials, trapezoidal rule, Simpson’s rule, Gaussian quadrature
- transformation of variables, Monte Carlo methods, finite-element methods
Differential equations
- ordinary and partial differential equations, initial value problems, boundary value problems
- Taylor expansion method, Runge-Kutta method
- local and accumulated truncation errors, error control
- two-point boundary value problems and solution by shooting method
Modelling
- trajectories and particle motion, linear and nonlinear initial value problems
- radial Schrodinger equation
- normalization of wavefunctions, energy levels, orthogonality of wave functions, expectation values, probability calculations
- problems in electromagnetism and solution by finite elements
- interpolation, interpolating polynomials, errors
- curve fitting and best fits using least-squares linear fits to basis functions
- general optimization methods for nonlinear fits
- inverting matrices, ill-conditioned matrices, the condition number
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task
Type of assessment
Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes #
Hurdle
Yes or No #
Outcomes being assessed / achieved
Projects
Formative & Summative
20%
NO
1 – 5
(Not all projects will assess every objective).
Assignments & Tests
Formative & Summative
20%
NO
1 – 5
(Not all projects will assess every objective).
Written Examination
Summative
60%
NO
1, 2, 4, 5
Assessment Detail
Description of Assessment:
Projects, Assignments and Tests: (40% of total course grade)
The standard assessment consists of 2 projects and 2 tests/assignments. This may be varied by negotiation with students at the start of the semester. This combination of projects, tests and summative assignments is used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material and to provide students with a benchmark for their progress in the course.
Written Examination: (60% of total course grade)
One exam is given to address understanding of and ability to use the material.
Poor performance in projects, assignments and/or tests may be partly redeemed in the final exam.Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
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