PH32043: Computational physics [5 credits]
[Page last updated: 23 April 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Physics |
| Credits: | 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 100 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Semester 1
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| Assessment Summary: | CWSI 50%, EXOB 50% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Computing coursework (CWSI 50%)
- Written examination (EXOB 50%)
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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
In taking this module you cannot take PH32045 OR take PH32041 OR take PH32042
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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.
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| Synopsis: | This unit will further extend your skills in the use of computer modelling as a complement to theoretical and experimental approaches to solving physical problems. You will learn how to construct mathematical models of physical processes and implement major techniques of computational modelling, using them to explore a range of topics in physics.
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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.
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| Course availability: |
PH32043 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Physics
- USPH-AFB26 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
- USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFB20 : BSc(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFB22 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFB24 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
- 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)
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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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