Physics 210: Intro Computational Physics: Term Project Ideas

• All term project topics must be approved by the instructor: talk to me, or send e-mail for approval, even if the term project appears in the "Specific Suggestions for Term Projects" below.
  
• Topics must be chosen by October 18, and term project proposals will be presented on October 23 and 25
  
• Final project presentations will be held November 27 and 29
  
• Project writeups are due Nov 30, 11:59 PM

• Non-linear dynamical systems
• Simple models for chaos using continuous equations (ordinary differential equations (ODEs))
• Simple models for chaos using discrete equations
• Predator-prey models, and other biologically-motivated systems
  
• Simulation of the motion of N interacting particles in two dimensions using finite difference approximations (FDAs)
• Gravitational interactions (positive mass only)
• Electrostatic interactions (postive and negative charges)
• General potentials and types of "charge"
• Simple molecular dynamics calculations
• Simulation of the motion of N interacting particles in three dimensions using finite difference approximations (FDAs)
• Toomre model of galaxy collisions
• Equilibrium configuration of N identical charges on the surface of a sphere
  
• Simulation of simple time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs) using FDAs
• One or two dimensional wave equations, possibly non-linear
• One or two dimensional diffusion equations, possible non-linear
• One dimensional time-dependent Schrodinger equation
• Reference [PDF]
  
• Solution of time-independent partial differential equations (PDEs) using FDAs
• Two dimensional Laplace / Poisson equations
• Cellular automata
• Traffic simulations
• Reference [PDF]
  
• Forest files
• Models for fluid mechanics
  
• Neural Networks
• Simulation of simple neural network, including training for specific task
• Reference [PDF]
  
• Genetic Algorithms
• Implementation of a basic genetic algorithm and application to a test problem
• Particle Physics
• Simulation of basic features of a particle detector including event generation and event reconstruction
• Optics
• Ray tracing through series of lenses, prisms, mirrors etc.
• Pedagogy
• Interactive demonstration of some physical process / phenomena that allows user to experiment with parameters, initial conditions etc.
• Stochastic (random) processes
  
• Diffusion limited aggregation (and possibly generalizations thereof)
• Simple earthquake model
• Reference [PDF]
  
• Monte Carlo integration, with application to some physical problem
  
• Simulated annealing, with application to some physical problem