PHYS 598 CPA

Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in physics intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or departmental course information for topics and prerequisites. Course Information: May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary.

TOPICS IN COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS. A numerical laboratory course designed to familiarize students with the use of a computer to solve diverse problems in physics. Problems will be drawn from several different branches of physics and astrophysics. Hydrodynamics, including the physics of shock waves, will be emphasized as the main paradigm for nonlinear phenomena. For the hydrodynamics, the necessary analytic results will be derived in class. Examples drawn from classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, etc. will already be familiar to students from standard physics courses. Numerical methods discussed will include solving ordinary and partial differential equations, linear algebra and eigenvalue problems, Monte Carlo techniques, FFTs, etc. Students will work on assigned numerical exercises and simulations both individually and in small teams. The results of these simulations will be presented in class periodically and will constitute an integral part