MM837: Computational Physics

The Study Board for Science

Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N310007102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master

STADS ID (UVA): N310007101
ECTS value: 10

Date of Approval: 12-03-2025


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Approved - active

Comment

The course is co-read with MM553: Computational Physics (10 ECTS).

Entry requirements

The course cannot be followed by students who have passed MM553.

Academic preconditions

Students taking the course are expected to have knowledge of:

  • Differentiation and integration of functions of one and several variables
  • Basic concepts of linear algebra (vector spaces, matrices, eigenvalues ...)
  • Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Basic programming.

As obtained in  DM550 (Introduction to Programming) , MM547 (Ordinary Differential Equations: Theory, Modelling and Simulation ), MM536 (Calculus for Mathematics) and MM538 (Algebra and Linear Algebra) .

Course introduction

The aim of the course is to enable the student to apply computational
methods in order to solve non-trivial problems in nonetheless practical
and efficient way. Computational methods have become a standard approach
in many areas of science, especially in condensed matter, particle
physics, hydrodynamics,  plasma-dynamics, biophysics and chemistry.  
The course provides tools to address problems which typically cannot be
solved by analytical methods.

Expected learning outcome

The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:

  • Reflect
    on the numerical and algorithmic principles presented during the course
    and connect them with other numerical/computational techniques from
    other courses in the curriculum.  
  • Reflect on the most appropriate solution techniques for the problem at hand, based on the knowledge acquired in the curriculum.
  • Present and reflect on the scientific results achieved in a scientifically correct way.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:

  • Numerical methods for classical Hamiltonian systems
    • The N-body problem
    • Integration schemes
  • Numerical methods for Schroedinger equation in one dimension
  • Monte Carlo Simulations of Spin Systems:
    • Markov chains and Metropolis algorithm
    • Cluster algorithm
    • Wang-Landau algorithm
    • Simulation of two-dimensional models
  • Numerical Simulation in Quantum Field Theories
    • Heatbath algorithm for Yang-Mills theories
    • Hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm for matter fields

Literature

See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Exam element a)

Timing

Autumn

Tests

Mandatory assignments

EKA

N310007102

Assessment

Second examiner: Internal

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

10

Indicative number of lessons

84 hours per semester

Teaching Method

Planned lessons

Total number of planned lessons: 84

Hereof:

Common lessons in classroom/auditorium: 84

During the lectures we will explore numerical methods discussing the tehoretical and the physics-motivated background.

We will then implement such methods in a programming language such as MATLAB.


Other planned teaching activities:

  • preparation of exercises in study groups
  • preparation of projects

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Michele Della Morte dellamor@cp3.sdu.dk Computational Science

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Institut for Matematik og Datalogi (matematik)

Team at Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period

Transition rules

Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study. 
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list. 
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.