Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Scientific computation is about constructing theoretical and mathematical models of physical systems, adapting efficient numerical techniques, and using modern computers to solve real-world scientific problems. This unit introduces the main computational techniques used in solving practical problems in physics and engineering. It is hands-on and designed to help students learn by doing, thus a significant fraction of students' time is spent actually programming specific physical problems. The unit is required for students with specialisation in computational physics, but it is also open to students in other science or engineering subjects.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Honours option in Physics [Bachelor of Science (Honours)]
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain the modern computer environment of UNIX workstations and have a working knowledge of the programming language Fortran or Python; (2) interpret numerical differentiation and integration, ordinary and partial differential equations, Fourier transforms, linear algebra and eigensystems, Monte Carlo simulation, optimisation, variational methods; and (3) apply numerical techniques commonly used to solve problems in science and engineering.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments; (2) oral presentation; and (3) final project report. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Jingbo Wang
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in in theHON-GEOPH Geophysics [Honours]andand
or the HON-PHYSC Physics [Honours]
or the CM015 Bachelor of Science [Frontier Physics] and Master of Physics
or the 53560 Master of Physicscompletion of the core units in the Physics major or equivalentor
Course Enrolment in the65550 Master of Quantum Technology and Computing and ( CITS1401 Computational Thinking with Pythonandand PHYS2001 Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism
or CITX1401 Computational Thinking with Python
and PHYS3001 Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics )
or 73660 Master of Medical Physics - Advisable prior study
- Programming in Python, Fortran
or C
- Contact hours
- Lectures: 3 x 45 minutes per week
Practical Classes: 1 x 45 minutes per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.