Inhalt

[ 461GCTSCPIU23 ] UE Computational Physics I

Versionsauswahl
Workload Education level Study areas Responsible person Hours per week Coordinating university
1,5 ECTS M1 - Master's programme 1. year Physics Robert E. Zillich 1 hpw Johannes Kepler University Linz
Detailed information
Original study plan Master's programme Physics 2025W
Learning Outcomes
Competences
Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of basic numerical methods in physics (listed below), and can apply these methods. They are able to write computer programs to solve simple numerical problems.

This exercise is methodologically complemented by the lecture Computational Physics I.

Skills Knowledge
Upon completing the course, students will possess the following skills. They are able to

  • understand mathematical derivations and formulations of numerical methods (k2);
  • apply these methods by writing computer code (k3);
  • assess the correctness of numerical results obtained with their code, and identify possible errors in their implementation or choice of method (k4/k5);
  • analyze and quantify the accuracy of numerical results (k4/k5);
  • determine the best choice of algorithms for given numerical problems of modest complexity (k5).
During the course, students will acquire knowledge about numerical techniques concerning:

  • numerical errors, floating point numbers;
  • interpolation;
  • fast Fourier transformation;
  • numerical differentiation and finite difference discretization;
  • quadrature;
  • root finding;
  • ordinary differential equations (initial and boundary value problems);
  • solving eigenvalue problems and linear equations;
  • iterative solutions methods;
  • partial differential equations.
Criteria for evaluation Evaluation will be based on the number/quality of successfully solved exercises.
Details will be announced at the beginning of the semester.
Methods Students solve exercise problems as homework and/or jointly during the exercise class. Discussion of the course topics and solution of exercises.
Language English
Study material
  • Lecture notes as pdf
  • Paul DeVries, "A first course in computational physics", Wiley 1994
  • Josef Stör, Roland Bulirsch, "Numerische Mathematik 1" and "Numerische Mathematik 2", Springer (also available in English)
  • Gene H. Golub, Charles F. Loan, "Matrix Computations", John Hopkins University Press
  • Z. Bai, J. Demmel, J. Dongarra et al, "Templates for the Solution of Algebraic Eigenvalue Problems", SIAM 2000
  • R. Barrett, M. Berry, T.F. Chan et al, "Templates for the Solution of Linear Systems", SIAM 200g
Changing subject? No
Earlier variants They also cover the requirements of the curriculum (from - to)
460NATECP1U16: UE Computational Physics I (2016W-2023S)
TPMPTUECOP1: UE Computational Physics I (2009W-2016S)
On-site course
Maximum number of participants 25
Assignment procedure Assignment according to priority