Student Learning Outcomes  

• To learn through direct experience the use of scientific workstations  in thinking creatively and solving problems in the physical sciences.
• To learn the basics of  scientific, numerical simulation and modeling.
• To learn how to interpret and analyze data visually, both during and after computation.
• To use the graphical capabilities of advanced workstations to visualize numerical solutions into highly interpretable forms.
• To instill attitudes of independence, personal communication, and organization, all of which are essential for mastery of complex systems.
• To understand why hard work and even properly functioning and powerful software and hardware do not guarantee meaningful results. In an experimental science there are limits to accuracy and applicability.
• To learn to communicate effectively solution methods and results.

Special Graduate-Student Learning Outcomes (in addition to above)

• To identify and alleviate problems arising from inadequate experience with the basic computational tools and techniques  of science and engineering.
• To learn how to incorporate modern computation and visualization into the scientific problem-solving paradigm via a project approach.
• To provide a framework and motivation to learn the Java programming language, or other compiled language, as used for numerical simulations..  
• To undertake additional or modified projects requiring  higher mathematical and theoretical analysis, but the same set of computing skills.
•  To understand how their  graduate research  will be advanced by the  use of modern scientific computing skills and tools.

Learner Expectations

• Attend class (on time) and stay the entire class period.
• Read text materials before they are to be discussed in class and worked on in lab.
• Bring to lab a copy of the text and auxiliary materials needed to complete projects.
• Understand all of the programs that you run, and modify them to make them your own.
• Participate in learning activities and complete tasks on time.
• Cell phone use is prohibited during class.

Partial support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation, NPACI, and EPICS.
Rubin H Landau
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon