production
Skip to Content

Log In

  1. University Home
  2. Catalogue of Courses
  3. Undergraduate
  4. 2015-2016
  5. Physics
  6. PX3017: RESEARCH AND COMPUTING SKILLS

PX3017: RESEARCH AND COMPUTING SKILLS (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:35


Course Overview

This course introduces mathematical and computational methods. The first part is an introduction to programming starting at basics such as variables, loops and conditional statements. This course is taught in Python, with an emphasis on modern programming concepts and data analysis skills. The second part teaches advanced mathematical methods using examples from Physics; for example multivariable calculus and Maxwell's equations, or ODE and partial differential equations in classical and quantum mechanics. There will be a one week career strategies module separating the two.




Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Bjoern Schelter
  • Dr Silke Henkes

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will introduce computing skills including programming and numerical analysis methods and key mathematical skills commensurate with those required by other honours courses such as Electricity and Magnetism. The course is divided into two halves. In the first half students will revise and develop key mathematical skills including their ability to cope with vector calculus, differential and integral equations and linear algebra. Topics such as Stokes’s, Green’s and Gauss’s theorems will be explored and applications discussed. In the second half, students will develop computing, programming and numerical analysis skills. Using a high level language such as C, they will learn how to plan, develop and structure a program and then use these techniques to numerically solve mathematical problems including root finding, numerical differentiation and integration, solution of simultaneous and differential equations.

Further Information & Notes

Priority entry to intending Physics honours students.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1st Attempt: In-course assessments (100%) made up of tutorial questions and one mid-term exam (50%) and computer programme assessments (50%)

Resit: Opportunity to resubmit any missed assessments.

Formative Assessment

Initial workshop on presentation skills formatively assessed; careers skills - feedback given, short "flash" assignments will be unassessed (eg. short blogs will receive comments). Formative assessment on continuing work within workshops, and guidance given.

Feedback

Feedback will be: provided by e-mail on formative assessments such as presentation skills given individually on careers skills provided as comments on blogs of "flash" assignments given informally throughout workshops and as required formally provided in writing on written (summative) assessments.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.