Module Identifier PH36010  
Module Title NUMERICAL METHODS  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr David P Langstaff  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Daniel Brown, Dr Martin C Wilding  
Pre-Requisite PH26010 , PH21010 , PH23010 , PH27010  
Course delivery Lecture   10 lectures  
  Practical   26 Hours. 8 workshops (2 hours each); project lasting 10 hours  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Exercise set in semester week 8 combining a portfolio drawn from coursework and unseen problems.30%
Semester Assessment Mini project set in semester week 8 for completion by the end of term70%
Supplementary Assessment As determined by Departmental Examination Board.  100%

Learning outcomes

After taking this module students should be able to:

Brief description

Computational physics provides an alterative approach for the solution of practical and theoretical problems. Solutions intractable by analytical techniques may be evaluated using numerical techniques or, alternatively, numerical simulation may allow lthe influence of a range of variables to be investigated without recourse to extensive experiments. In the present course, basic techniques of numerical analysis will be introduced, including interpolation, functions, roots and integration. The module will also introduce approaches for the solution of ordinary differential equations and Fourier transforms as well as finite element techniques for solving partial differential equations. A knowledge of the MATHCAD programming environment is requried.

Content

MATHCAD revision lectures

Linear interpolation and extrapolation

Roots of equations

Numerical Integration

Fourier Analysis

Ordinary Differential Equations: Runge-Kutta

Introduction to the solution Partial Differential Equation: Finite Difference techniques.
   
Each of the above will be illustrated by reference to appropriate topics in Physics

Transferable skills

In addition to formal lectures on basic techniques, the students will have significant opportunities to investigate and implement numerical analysis methods on personal computers.

Reading Lists

Books
** Reference Text
Larsen, Ronald W. (2001.) Introduction to Mathcad 2000 /Ronald W. Larsen. 0130200077

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6