PH32042: Computational physics [10 credits]
[Page last updated: 23 April 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Physics |
| Credits: | 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 200 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Academic Year
- Semester 1
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| Assessment Summary: | CWRI 50%, CWSI 25%, EXOB 25% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Computing coursework (CWSI 25%)
- Written examination (EXOB 25%)
- Computational physics project 1 (CWRI 25%)
- Computational physics project 2 (CWRI 25%)
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
Before taking this module you must take PH22007 OR take PH20105 OR take PH20123 OR take PH20018 OR take PH22010
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| Learning Outcomes: |
After taking this unit, the student should be able to:
芒锟铰e-dimensionalise an equation representing a physical system;
芒锟铰iscretise a differential equation using grid and basis set methods;
芒锟铰utline the essential features of each of the simulation techniques introduced and give examples of their use in contemporary science;
芒锟铰dentify the strengths and weaknesses of a computational approach to modelling;
芒锟铰emonstrate practical application of computational techniques to selected physics problems;
芒锟铰xplain the methodology, relevant issues and output of the investigations performed;
芒锟铰rite and develop structured Python, C and/or C++ code for computer simulations, including interfacing to a 2d graphics package;
芒锟铰utline the physics and computational issues relevant to the topics of the computational physics projects, and explain the methodology and output of the simulations performed.
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| Synopsis: | This unit will introduce you to the practical use of computer modelling as a complement to theoretical and experimental solution of physical problems, including some of the issues involved in constructing mathematical models of physical processes. You will learn about major techniques of computational modelling, and use them to explore a range of topics in physics. You will also undertake two computational physics projects, using Python, C and/or C++.
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| Content: | 11 hours of lectures plus 22 hours of PC labs covering:
Construction of a mathematical model of a physical system, discretisation and de-dimensionalisation;
Numerical methods for ODE and PDE initial value problems, numerical stability;
Linear algebra methods;
Numerical methods for ODE and PDE boundary value problems, finite difference and finite element methods;
Many-body problems;
High-performance computing, parallelisation.
Computational Physics Projects:
Two substantial investigative computational physics projects, carried out using Python/C/C++.
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| Course availability: |
PH32042 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Chemistry
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology) (Year 3)
- USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry) (Year 3)
- USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 4)
Department of Physics
- USPH-AFM20 : MPhys(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM12 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM22 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM14 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM11 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM23 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM15 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM21 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM13 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM24 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM25 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM26 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
- USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2025/26 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2026/27 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2025/26.
- 好色tv and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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