Other Courses • Physics 170 • Schedule • Project • Code Examples • Notes
Code Hints • Documentation • References • LaTeX • Matlab
Physics 170 is a two-unit half course that introduces some of the main applications of computation in physics. The normal prerequisites are an upper-division standing and an ability to program and use graphics. The course is recommended for all physics majors interested in computers and physics applications.
Physics 170 will meet Mondays from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. in Parsons B144 (the Macintosh lab). You will be expected to spend about 6 hours each week on this course. There will be no tests and no final exam. You will carry out a group project at the end of the semester, which will be written up in a formal report and presented either in class or during Presentation Days. You will be able to choose one or two collaborators and an appropriate topic to match your interests for this project.
There will be 3 homework problems assigned, the solutions of which should be carefully presented and well documented. There will also be 4 informal but graded exercises assigned during the semester to help you learn techniques and to prepare you for the problems.
You will be given instructions outlining the essential points of good programming style and practice, as well as guidelines for documenting problems and projects. Keep in mind that the course has deeper objectives than just number crunching; we would like to encourage the ability and desire to evaluate computational methods critically and to be as much a creative author as a user of recipes.
You will be asked for a proposals for your final project before spring break, so it is not too early to be thinking about possible topics.
Grading in the course will be based on
Drop by any time to talk about the course, send me e-mail messages, or phone.
Prof. Saeta, Keck 1247, x 7-3939