FYSS5350 Numerical Applications in Physics (5 cr)

Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

Description

  • Modeling and computer simulation of physical phenomena

  • Numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations

  • Classical and quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulations

  • Event-driven Monte Carlo methods and quantum Monte Carlo methods 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to 
  • apply the Finite Difference and Finite Element method to simple problems 
  • simulate a classical system using molecular dynamics
  • write a code that simulates a simple chemical reaction using an event-based Monte Carlo method
  • calculate the ground state properties of atoms using quantum Monte Carlo as well as calculate the properties of a finite temperature harmonic oscillator using path integral Monte Carlo.

Description of prerequisites

FYSA2011 Electromagnetism and FYSA2021 Mechanics.

Study materials

  • Lecture notes

  • Program examples

  • Scientific articles 

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Every other year or when needed, starting autumn 2025.
Evaluation criteria:
Programs compile and run, and solve the given problem. Grade based on difficulty level of completed assignments.
Time of teaching:
Period 1
Select all marked parts

Method 2

Description:
This completion method is intended for students for whom method 1 is not possible for specific reasons (e.g. language, living elsewhere, recommendation for individual study arrangements). Contact the teacher before enrolling to the course via this completion method.
Evaluation criteria:
Project work; grade based on difficulty level of project.
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Participation in teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
Programs compile and run, and solve the given problem. Grade based on difficulty level of completed assignments.
Language:
English, Finnish
Study methods:

Lectures, programming tasks. 

No published teaching
x

Independent study (5 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
Project work; grade based on difficulty level of completed project.
Language:
English, Finnish
Study methods:

Independent project work. 

Teaching