PHYSICS 180N
Computational Physics and Astronomy Laboratory
Description: Lecture, one hour; laboratory, six hours. Requisites: courses 105A, 105B, 110A, 110B, 112 (or Astronomy 115), 115A, 115B. Prior experience in working with computers helpful but not required. Designed to give first-hand experience in solving physics and astronomy problems on computers. Project-based course, with projects selected from core areas of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum physics, statistical physics, and astronomy. Introduction to problems and to required numerical methods in lectures so students can write programs in one modern programming language of their choice (Python recommended) and carry out numerical experiments with it, with results documented in reports. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Fall 2021 - Lecture: Prof Roy is not a good lecturer. His tone is so plain that you would easily find yourself distracted even if you could concentrate well on other classes. Fortunately, the slides and instruction of projects are written clearly so students could follow the instruction and complete the project. Projects: Projects are due every two weeks but you could usually have them done in a weekend. The content are interesting and could establish some connection between computation and physics. For example, one of the projects is about monte carlo simulation, and we would use the technique to simulate a 2D system. First 3 projects have detailed instructions that could lead you do them step by step. The last project would be at your discretion (some suggested topics are given as reference). General: I would recommend physics students to take 180N because programming skills are so important nowadays and the department is not teaching programming much (there are some instruction in Physics 18L and 105 series but that's not enough).
Fall 2021 - Lecture: Prof Roy is not a good lecturer. His tone is so plain that you would easily find yourself distracted even if you could concentrate well on other classes. Fortunately, the slides and instruction of projects are written clearly so students could follow the instruction and complete the project. Projects: Projects are due every two weeks but you could usually have them done in a weekend. The content are interesting and could establish some connection between computation and physics. For example, one of the projects is about monte carlo simulation, and we would use the technique to simulate a 2D system. First 3 projects have detailed instructions that could lead you do them step by step. The last project would be at your discretion (some suggested topics are given as reference). General: I would recommend physics students to take 180N because programming skills are so important nowadays and the department is not teaching programming much (there are some instruction in Physics 18L and 105 series but that's not enough).
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