Computational Physics II

PH 466/566 Oregon State University

(this page: http://www.physics.orst.edu/~rubin/COURSES/ph466/)

Winter 2006

To teach through direct experience the use of scientific workstations and supercomputers in thinking creatively and solving problems in the physical sciences.

Professor: Rubin H Landau	499 Weniger Hall	rubin@physics.orst.edu	541-737-1693	www.physics.orst.edu/~rubin
	T Assist: Sasha Govyadinov		Midterm: 16 Feb	Final Exam: 20 Feb (??)
Check out CPUG		Syllabus & Assignments	14 Feb: first-half projects due	22 Mar 9 AM, all projects due

Lectures:

Tues (Th) 1030-1150

Weniger 377

Lab:

Thurs 1030-1150

Weniger 412

Text: Landau & Paez, Computational Physics, Problem Solving with Computers, Wiley (1997) and handout notes; with Java extensions; with Web Enhancements (applets)

Aims and Verbal Description Concept Map of Computational Physics

Prerequisites: Scientific Computing II, PH 464/PH 564 (formerly Ph 365); PH 465/565, Computational Physics I.

Grade: Quality and completeness of projects: 60%, midterm/ final exams (35%), class & lab participation (5%). The projects involve programming, often a modification of a sample code, and exploration (the most important part). The exam emphasizes understanding of concepts and vocabulary. Sample Exam.

Syllabus & HW: You are encouraged to discuss assignments with the instructors and other students. Even if you work in a group, you need to understand all the work that you hand in. When you place your name on your assignment, the agreement is that this is your work and that you can explain it when asked. Warning: Handing in another student's assignment (either in original or modified form) without acknowledgement is academic dishonesty and can result in an F course grade. Note: projects are expected one week after assignment. No projects from first half of term will be accepted after 19 February, and no projects from second half of term will be accepted after 16 March.

Sample Project Report

Related Web Tutorials

Computational Physics Lab: You will be given access to the Physics workstation computer cluster in Weniger 412. You can use these or other computers for the course. Entrance at nonclass times is possible with a magnetic key card purchased from the Physics Department Office (Weniger 301). You are permitted to use the lab whenever it is not being used by another class and during the hours that Weniger hall is open.
Alternate Computational Physics Lab: The ``berry'' computers in Weniger 497 are also available for your use. You have permission to get a key to it.
README: The Physics Department Workstation Cluster
Physics Computing Support: Secure Shell, Change Password, etc.

PtPlot tutorial (in line Java Plotting); EasyPtPlot.java

Gnuplot 3.7 (unix, windows plotting), use right mouse button to save as file

Useful Links

JAMA, Java Matrix Subroutine Library (Source)

Landau's JamaFit.java (a Fitting Example), Jama.tar (the entire package)

Computational Physics Lab After you sign a fair-use agreement, you will have access to the Physics workstation cluster centered in Weniger 412. You can use these, or other computers for the course. The door to Weniger 412 is always locked. On-time students should have no problem entering the room for class periods. Entrance at other times is possible with a magnetic card purchased from the Physics Department Office (Weniger 301). You are permitted to use the lab whenever it is not being used by another class and during the hours that Weniger hall is open. Alternate Computational Physics Lab Some of the computers in Weniger 497 are also available for your use. That lab is next to Landau's office and he may let you in if its locked.

Sample Source Codes in Java, C and Fortran

Data Visualization (2D, 3D with gnuplot, Animations), XrGrace (tutorial; data files: 2.1.dat, 3.dat, 8.2.dat; 7.1.2.agr)

Getting Started With Physics Beowulf Cluster: Java implementation of Message Passing Interface

Partial support for this work was provided by the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education through grant DUE-9450841 and NPACI, as part of development of CPUG.