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PHY-30026 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

PHY-30026 - Computational Methods in Physics and Astrophysics
Coordinator:
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of level 2 Physics/Astrophysics

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module aims to introduce several key numerical and computational techniques in the context of
previously acquired skills in Mathematics and Computing. The student&©s understanding of these techniques will be developed by application to a variety of physical and astrophysical situations.

Aims
To develop an understanding of the basis of numerical techniques in Physics and Astrophysics;
To develop the skills of writing, compiling and testing computer programs, which use appropriate algorithms to solve specific problems in Physics and Astrophysics;
To develop skills in presenting the results of computational calculations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

To have systematic understanding of the principles behind a variety of computational and numerical techniques that are commonly used in physical and astrophysical research [1, 2, 3].
Students will acquire the knowledge to identify the appropriateness of computational and numerical approaches in a variety of situations and be able to deploy them appropriately [1, 2, 3].
To acquire skills in using a high-level computational language to implement and apply numerical techniques to physical and astrophysical problems [1, 2, 3].
To demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of numerical calculations in written and graphical formats [1, 2, 3].

Study hours

12 hours of lectures on numerical and computational methods
24 hours practical computational classes
12 hours problem sheets
24 hours project work and report
78 hours examination revision and private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 40%
2 hour practical open-book test - not scheduled on Exam Timetable
A two hour unseen "open book" practical test, with a choice of two from three questions. The questions will test whether students can correctly identify and use numerical techniques and write, test and debug short programs using appropriate reference material.

2: Exercise weighted 20%
2 problem sheets
Two problem sheets which will require students to demonstrate their programming skills and that they can apply newly learned numerical techniques to problems in Physics and Astrophysics.

3: Project weighted 40%
2000 word project
A short, self-contained attempt to tackle a Physics/Astrophysics problem that will require the student to design, write and test a piece of software and write a short report (2000 words) which describes their approach and presents the results.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024