Introduction to Computational Physics

[Greg Bernhardt]

A complete set of lecture notes for an upper-division computational physics course. Topics covered include scientific programming in C, the numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations, particle-in-cell codes, and Montecarlo methods.


http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/329/329.pdf

by: Richard Fitzpatrick (University of Texas)

 

[physicsnoob93]

Thanks greg. I was really looking for some stuff on computational physics.

 

[sir-pinski]

Introduction to Computational Physics is an upper-division course that provides a comprehensive overview of the field of computational physics. The course covers a range of topics, including scientific programming in C, numerical solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations, particle-in-cell codes, and Monte Carlo methods. These lecture notes, authored by Richard Fitzpatrick from the University of Texas, serve as a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in computational physics.

One of the key strengths of these lecture notes is the emphasis on practical applications and hands-on programming exercises. The use of C as the programming language allows for a deeper understanding of the underlying algorithms and techniques used in computational physics. The notes also provide detailed explanations and examples of how to implement these techniques in a scientific computing environment.

The course covers a wide range of numerical methods for solving both ordinary and partial differential equations, which are essential tools in many areas of physics. The notes provide a clear and concise explanation of these methods, along with their advantages and limitations. This allows students to gain a thorough understanding of the numerical techniques used in computational physics, and how to choose the most appropriate method for a given problem.

In addition, the notes also cover particle-in-cell codes, which are widely used in plasma physics and astrophysics. This topic is not commonly covered in introductory computational physics courses, making these notes a valuable resource for students interested in these fields. The inclusion of Monte Carlo methods also adds to the breadth of topics covered, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of different numerical techniques used in physics.

Overall, these lecture notes provide a comprehensive and well-organized introduction to computational physics. The use of C programming and practical exercises make it a valuable resource for students and researchers alike. I highly recommend these notes to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of computational physics.