Physics 410: Computational Physics (Fall 2005)

• TERM PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS PAGE
• COURSE NOTES
• HOMEWORK AND HW4 GROUPS
  
• NEWS (last update THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2006, 1630)
• Syllabus
• Course Topics
• Online Course Resources
• Course Related Software
• Suggested Hardcopy References
• Suggested Term Projects
• STUDENT PAGES
• TERM PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS PAGE
• Computer Access Info: [P & A Computer Labs -- Schedule], [Linux Lab (PCs) Hennings 205]

Due to the significant diversity in topics to be covered, there is no required text for the course. For testing purposes, you will be responsible only for material covered in lectures and homework assignments. I will distribute some class notes when appropriate, but you will also be responsible for taking notes in class. The optional text, Numerical Recipes (2nd edition), by Press et al is particularly recommended for those of you who anticipate doing further numerical work. Note, however, that the full text of the book is available on-line. Also note that there are distinct Fortran 77 and C versions of the book: choose the one which you feel will suit you best. See the Suggested References page for texts and other references pertinent to the course, and the Course Resources web page for a collection of on-line reference/instructional material.

• Midterm: 10%
• Final: 10%
• Homework Assignments: 55%
• Term Projects: 25%

• Midterm: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 10:00 AM
• Final: TBA

Except under extremely extenuating circumstances there will be NO makeup tests

Each homework will contribute roughly equal weight to your final mark but I will discount your worst mark.

You are encouraged to develop your own project ideas, but all project topics must be approved by the instructor.

Please note that the one-page precis must be submitted in addition to the final paper, and that the outline will not graded nor otherwise evaluated in the normal case. It serves the purpose of ensuring that every student has selected an appropriate project and is fully cognizant of the major components of work that must be performed for the project to be successfully completed.

Even if the bulk of the project involves programming, a 1 paper describing the project must be prepared in the style of a technical paper or a scientific essay (ask now if you are unsure of what that means!), and hardcopy of your paper MUST be submitted to the instructor, in class, in person, or via the instructor's mailbox in the Physics and Astronomy main office. You are free to submit preliminary drafts of your paper to the instructor for critique; such pre-assessment will not affect your final grade on the paper. You are encouraged to use LaTeX (or TeX) mathematical typesetting software to prepare your papers. Suggested paper length is 15-20 pages double spaced, including figures, graphs and source code listings. Note that the project need not involve programming: for example, a critical essay on the impact of computation on a particular sub-field of physics is a viable option, provided that the student can convince the instructor that she/he has sufficient programming expertise and experience for the usual programming requirement to be waived.

Term projects are due on December 1 (the last class day). Late projects will be accepted at the instructor's discretion. and as per the Late Work Policy described below.

Term project code (including graphical code) must run on the course Linux machines in Hennings 205, and, in particular, cannot be MS-Windows specific.

From time to time, work may be submitted late, subject to the following conditions:

1. If an extension is required, the extendee must submit a request for an extension, via e-mail, to the instructor, before the assignment is due.
2. Submitted homework which absolutely must be submitted before the homework key is distributed, must similarly be accompanied by an e-mail indicating completion of the work.

Note that all messages are to be sent to the instructor, not the TA, and that if you finish the homework on time, no additional action on your part is required.

All students must understand and abide by the following homework policy:

Consultation and collaboration with classmates is permitted.

HOWEVER, ALL HOMEWORK SUBMITTED MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK.

To be more specific, the following occurrences (not an exhaustive list) WILL be treated as possible cases of academic misconduct. (I assume in the following that cheating is fundamentally a two-person interaction; let X and Y be two students)

1. Work where student X's work is byte-wise identical to Y's work for no good reason, and there seldom is a good reason.
2. Work where X's source code is the same or very nearly the same as Y's, with primarily comments and/or names of variables changed.

The University takes this form of academic misconduct very seriously, and so do I.

All strong evidence of cheating is therefore reported to, and dealt with through, the Head of the Department.

• Homework assignments are denoted H1 through H5.
• See Course Topics page for a more detailed outline of course material.
• Term project outlines are due OCTOBER 20 although earlier submissions are encouraged
• Term projects are due DECEMBER 1 (last class day)

• Tuesday, September 20: Last day for withdrawal from most Term 1 courses without withdrawal standing of "W" recorded on a student's academic record.
• Monday, October 10: Thanksgiving Day, University closed.
• Friday, October 14 Last date for withdrawal from most Winter Session Term 1 courses with withdrawal standing of "W" recorded on a student's academic record.
• Friday, November 11: Remembrance Day. University closed. NO CLASS.
• Friday, December 2: Last day of classes.
• Wednesday, December 7: Examinations begin.
• Wednesday, December 21: Examinations end.