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PX3019: MATHEMATICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN PHYSICS (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

This course introduces mathematical and computational methods. One half is an introduction to programming starting at basics such as variables, loops and conditional statements. This course part is taught in Python, with an emphasis on modern programming concepts and data analysis skills. The other half, taught concurrently, consists of advanced mathematical methods using examples from Physics; for example multivariable calculus and Maxwell's equations, or ODE and partial differential equations in classical and quantum mechanics. There will be a one week career strategies module at the end of the course.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Charles Wang
  • Dr M. Carmen Romano

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

 This course will introduce computing skills including programming and numerical analysis methods and key mathematical skills commensurate with those required by other honours courses such as Electricity and Magnetism. The course is divided into two halves. In the first half, students will develop programming and numerical analysis skills. Using Python, they will first learn the basics of programming, including loops, conditions and functions. Using this basis, they will then apply numerical algorithms to solve differential equations, eigenvalue problems and integration, and learn how to analyse and visualise data. An individual programming project concludes this part. In the second half students will revise and develop key mathematical skills including their ability to cope with vector calculus, differential and integral equations and linear algebra. Topics such as Stokes’s, Green’s and Gauss’s theorems will be explored and applications discussed.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

Exercise Sheets (20%)

Project (30%)

3 x Home assignments (50%)

Alternative Resit Arrangements

Online test 1 (50%)

Online test 2 (50%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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