Physics 401  -  Computational Physics

Homepage and Syllabus

(Texas A&M University, Spring 2010)



   Announcements (updated regularly)
        Lectures

    Mon+Wed+Fri  10:20-11:10am
    Room:  MPHY-213
     (1st class:  Wed Jan 20,  last class:  Tue May 04 (redefined Fri);
      Spring Break: Mar 15-19, Reading Day: Good Friday Apr 02)



       Course Instructor
   
Dr. Ralf Rapp
    Office        : Cyclotron (Building 434)  Room 211
Mitchell Physics Building Room 313
    Office-Hrs : Mon+Wed 11:15am-12:15pm in MPHY-313, Thu 3-4pm (or by appointment) in CYCL-211
    Phone       : 845-1411 (ext. 226), home: 690-0200
    E-mail       : rapp@comp.tamu.edu

      Teaching Assistant (Homework Grader)
     Scott Willson  
   email  :  scottwill06@tamu.edu
   Office:  Halbouty 352
   Consultation concerning homework: by appointment
 

       Required Material and Prerequisite
     1.)  TEXTBOOK:
           The course will be based on the book
           "Computational Physics", 2nd edition, by Nicholas N. Giardano and Hisao Nakanishi
           
homepage (including sample programs etc.): click
here 
      2.)  Prerequisites:
             - MATH 311 or 409 (or registration therein)
          - Basic knowledge to program in Fortran (or registration in CPSC 203) and use Gnuplot
          - University-issued computer account

      3.)  Links to Fortran Tutorials/Guides:
             e.g.:  - User Notes on Fortran Programming
                   - Professional Programmer's Guide to Fortran77
                   - Clive Page's page update

    
4.)  Links to Gnuplot Tutorials
          e.g.: - Engineering Department Duke University

         

         Scope
    The course will cover an introduction to, and more advanced applications of, computational
    (numerical) methods in theoretical physics.
    The SYLLABUS for the lectures can be found here.
  
 

       Course Grade
     
  The total course grade is decomposed as follows:

 

        Notes on Lectures
    Attendance in the lectures, as well as taking notes of the material presented, is mandatory.
    In particular, the final exam will be heavily based on the material discussed in the lectures.
    Furthermore, you are responsible for all announcements made
in class (including the regular
    homework assignments).

    The material discussed in the lectures defines the scope of the homework problems and final exam
.

   

     Note on Homework
    For the weekly assignment of homework problems (usually given as handout in class), click here.
   Unless otherwise noted, homework is assigned in class and due in class  approx. 7-10 days later.
   Late hand-in will be penalized by subtracting 25% of the score per day late.
 
   Personal computers to program and run source code are available in room MPHY-152 (your TAMU ID
   card should be activated for access; if you encounter problems check with the Physics computing office).

   Cooperative work and discussions are encouraged, but every student must generate and hand in his/her
   individual solution set by the due date. Questions can be addressed to your course
instructor or teaching
   assistant, who will be happy to help you (preferably during, but not restricted to, office hours)
.

        Strategy
  To pass the course, you will have to keep up with the material of the course by attending the lectures
  and thoroughly working
through the almost-weekly homework assignments. The course material
  subsequently builds on earlier chapters.

 

       AGGIE Honor Code
  An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.
  Also see http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor
  Any type of cheating (e.g., copying homework or during the final exam) is
  strictly prohibited and seriously penalized.

 
 
       ADA  Statement
  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
  comprehensive civil rights
protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
  legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
  provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
  requiring an
accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students
  with Disabilities, in Room 126 of the Koldus Building or
  call 845-1637; for more info see also here.
  Department of Student Life, SSD, will review your concerns and determine, with you, what
  accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and
documentation concerning
  disability is kept confidential.