What is Computational: Definition and 318 Discussions

Computation is any type of calculation that includes both arithmetical and non-arithmetical steps and which follows a well-defined model (e.g. an algorithm).
Mechanical or electronic devices (or, historically, people) that perform computations are known as computers. An especially well-known discipline of the study of computation is computer science.

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  1. H

    Computational Newton's second law problem

    Homework Statement This is actually a very elementar Halliday's computational problem: One person pushes a block with a force given by the equation F = 200e^{-0.15t} (given in Newtons and seconds) and the block has, with the surface, a constant friction force of 80N. Find when the block...
  2. L

    Which programming language is best for computational physics and modeling?

    I'm interested in picking up some programming skills specifically for modeling or solving physics-related things. Like solving PDE problems, like the heat or wave equation boundary problems I had in my PDE course. I'd also like to learn how to make animated simulations of the solution for...
  3. J

    Preparation for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

    Hi all, I have just completed my undergraduate studies in Mathematics from a UK university (specialising the Mathematical Physics and Fluid Dynamics) and will be continuing on a Masters programme in Applied Mathematics come fall. For my Masters, I would like to do something on CFD but the...
  4. A

    Computational mathematics materials

    I'm trying to find notes and material on a course, which, strangely, i can't find anywhere (the course). It's called "Computational Mathematics", and it deals with numerical solutions of ODEs, initial value problems,boundary value problems,reliability,stability and convergence of numerical...
  5. Z

    How different are Computational physics and straight physics?

    Hello, I'm a UK user, I'm 15 but I'm in lower 6th thanks to being accelerated a year. I'm very interested in physics, but I was wondering how different are the BSc courses in Computational Physics and straight Physics. Thing is, I'm not sure I'm intelligent enough to do straight physics, but I...
  6. U

    Making a career in Computational Fluid Dynamics

    Hi, I've decided I want to pursue a career in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and I think the best career option for me would be be to take up 'teaching' in my area of interest (since I'm not sure how well I'd be able to do in hard-core research activities) . However, I'm completely unaware...
  7. J

    Computational mathematics for a messed up student

    I am a Computer Engineering major. I begin to like analyzing things (I always do). I love testing things, and I really have the patience to do analyzing things, google for answers, reading and researching for answers. But I am not a very strong math student (pretty careless and my fundamental...
  8. B

    Computational science vs robotics

    hello! I am seeking for an advice. I am graduating school this year, and don't know what to study in college computational science or robotics. Can anyone help to decide, which is better?
  9. P

    Engineering Vs. Computational Science

    Hi all, I am in the middle of a major career change. Need some help deciding on a major? Currently I am back to school for my second degree as a math major. I found out late in life I am pretty good at math and find science very interesting. I have decided I like math and science, but want...
  10. MathWarrior

    Computational Science Degree & Career Opportunities

    Does anyone here have a degree in Computational Science and are currently working in a field? I was wondering what type of jobs someone with this degree would end up doing?
  11. C

    Best computational tool that could be used for calculation of thermal stresses

    Hi everyone. I am working to find out temperature distribution and thermal stresses in a structure. Can anyone please advice on which could be the best computational tool (ANSYS or ABAQUS or any other) for such kind of calculations. Thanks in advance.
  12. F

    What's the difference between theoretical and computational physics?

    As I understand it, the days of paper and pencil are mostly over. So what exactly do computational physicists do that that makes them different from theoretical physicists?
  13. O

    Other useful computational tools for physics and math?

    Hi. I am aware that Fortran, Mathlab and Mathematica are used somewhat extensively in physics. Due to some technical and administrative problems I was unable to return to the labs to learn any of the three stated above during the long break. I only have limited access and would have to use the...
  14. V

    Learn Computational Physics: An Engineering Degree Guide

    Hello all, I am currently doing an engineering degree. I am interested in doing physics related computing. Can anyone tell me what exactly is simulation? I don't have a thorough background in physics but I am willing to learn. Is that okay to work in the field of "computational physics"...
  15. F

    Why do GPU's dwarf the computational power of CPU's?

    The ATI Radeon HD 6990 is capable of about 5 teraflops (five trillion operations per second) while the top-tier CPU's from intel and amd can only churn out about 250 gigaflops (billions of operations per second) even after they have been overclocked quite a bit. why do GPU's dwarf the...
  16. C

    Physics Computational physics job prospects?

    Is a computational physics major a good compromise for someone who is not sure if they'd like to go deeper into physics, or start working for scientific or software companies?I ask because I live in the Bay area, and with Silicon Valley here, would a B.S. in applied physics sound like a good...
  17. T

    Computational Path Integration

    Hello to all, To take Feynman path integrals, which Monte Carlo algorithm do you think is best to use? I tried VEGAS algorithm as it is in GNU Scientific Library. It is pretty useful for many kinds of multi-dimensional integrals but since the path integral formulation includes Gaussian...
  18. T

    Physics Computational Physics: Is It Employable in Industry?

    I'd like to apply to university in an undergrad physics program because I love math and physics (I took college mechanics, E&M and currently taking waves and modern physics). The university I plan to go to offers different specializations for the final year, one of them being computational...
  19. S

    Exploring Antimatter Research for a BSc Computational Project

    I was hoping someone here could give me some direction with regards to books or review papers. I'm in my final year of my BSc doing a computational project on looking at the formation of antimatter molecules before they annihilate, e.g. a hydrogen-antihydrogen molecule. The computational bit is...
  20. P

    Which Universities Excel in Computational Astrophysics Programs?

    Which schools have the best programs in computational astrophysics? Judging by their websites, Princeton and Univ. of Chicago seem to have strong programs, but I was wondering if people knew of others as well??
  21. G

    Had computational Physics today successfully modelled any reaction in chemistry?

    I read a book about Feynman,saying that the chemistry may be explained by quantum physics. I got a question now: Are there anybody on the world had maken a practical numerical model which had modeled any chemistry reaction successfully from principle of Physics? I know some chemistry people...
  22. A

    Questions on Studying Computational Physics in Undergrads

    Well, I just learned that my department offers a Computational Physics sequences for 1 year. From the syllabus, it seems computational physics involves numerical analysis and some simulations. I want to know, is this a subject by itself (meaning there are some researches going on it...
  23. S

    Programs Parallel computing for PhD in Computational Astrophysics

    Hi, I wanted to know if someone who has a degree in parallel computing and related work experience will be able to get a PhD project in Computational Astrophysics? What other skill sets would the person require? I have seen many PhD positions that accept people from a parallel computing...
  24. S

    Physics Where area do computational physicists work in?

    Hey Guys, I'm currently finishing up my B.S in Physics (going into the last semester of Junior year) and plan on getting a Masters in Computer Science concentrating on software engineering. I'm curious if anyone else has made a similar career choice and how it worked out. Also, which...
  25. D

    I'd like to add some Computational Science to my Resume

    I'm finding that having at least *some* background in computer programming will be useful to my career as a Chemist. My background in programming is rather weak and rusty; I took a course or two in BASIC back when I was in middle school and then another in JAVA in high school. I've never used...
  26. J

    Computational chemistry of oxidation inhibitors

    I am currently working on a project analysing inhibitors of a heme enzyme which oxidises an indole molecule. We have data on halogenated and non halogenated indoles (methyl, hydroxy, amino and nitro). I have split them into these two classes because the first group have a negative correlation...
  27. G

    Exploring Computational Physics: Tips for Undergrad Research Success

    Hi, Im an undergrad physics student and trying to get a research position at my school. I've talked to one researcher and he didn't have a use for me but advised me to look into computational physics work with another professor. What is computational physics exactly? I know that you can...
  28. A

    What is the best computational software for a first year BS Mechanical student?

    I am student of BS Mechanical first year. I want to which is the best computational software for this level, i.e. Mathematica, Matlab or Maple any other? Thank You
  29. C

    Schools Chances at computational science grad schools

    I'm about to apply to grad programs in AE/ME and computational science right now. I have a general interest in doing numerical and computational work on physical problems. So that's why I'm considering computational science but not applied math programs. For now, the main area of interest I have...
  30. C

    Grad programs for computational science

    I graduated last year with BS degrees in physics and applied math. I also took heat transfer and fluid mechanics courses which helped me land a job at an aerospace company before getting terminated recently due to a clearance issue. I'm not too disappointed with that as I didn't see myself...
  31. X

    What are some interesting computational fields in Physics?

    So I'm thinking that for grad school I might like to get into some computational simulations and modeling. The reason for this is I'm not sure if I'll want to stay in Physics after grad school and being good with computers and modeling and such I think will give me a lot of options outside of...
  32. A

    Advice on doing an MS in computational Physics (graduated with B.Tech in CSE)

    Hello, I am a Computer Science and Engineering B.Tech. from ISM Dhanbad (equivalent to IIT), India. Recently, I have become interested in the Computational Physics MS program which I read about on this forum (recommended many times by ZapperZ). The interest arose mainly because I have always...
  33. M

    Fortran Fortran Formatting Computational Chemistry

    Hi, I require specific formatting for a quantum chemistry calculation. But for some reason I can't seem to write using formatting. I have checked tutorials, but to no avail. Here is my toy program: program test_format implicit none real :: m write(*,*) 'Enter a number' read(*,*)...
  34. S

    Brain, biology, biophysics, computational neuroscience, brain-comp interface

    Here's my background: Completing an engineering M.S. this year. I've done a lot of programming and building systems of ode/pde, neural networks, finite & discrete element models, hydraulic networks. I like coding and computer models very much. My problem is the research topics are...
  35. H

    Monte Carlo Computational Physics Project

    Hi, I am doing an undergraduate physics project by writing a C++ code to implement the Metropolis algorithm to a simple 2d one component plasma. In short, I have to determine the equilibrium configuration at each temperature by means of the Metropolis algorithm and then compute ensemble...
  36. M

    What are the best books for self-studying computational fluid dynamics?

    i want to master computational fluid dynamics,i do not have that as a subject in my university.so if i do it on my own,please give an idea about the best books for it?
  37. K

    Canadian University Programs for Computational Physics | Honors Physics

    Hi! I'm a Canadian student who's starting an honors physics program (with a minor in compsci) this coming fall. I'm trying to figure out where I should go for my master's and PhD. I'm interested in computational physics, and also have an interest in astrophysics and condensed matter physics...
  38. O

    Schools Good Universities in US for computational science

    Hey All...I hve gone thorough various threads given over computaional science and definitely it has promised a great career in this...bt i just want to know about the various univs. in US who are offering a MS or Phd in computational science. I have done masters in Physics and after that i am...
  39. H

    Computational Math/Physics

    I am an undergraduate physics and applied math major in his junior year, and it is about time for me to start seriously researching graduate programs. I have had some experience in the lab, enough to know that I would rather not be an experimentalist in some field like condensed matter. At the...
  40. P

    What is Computational Science?

    I have a slight understanding of the major. If anyone can tell me the specifics and the pros and cons, that would be great. Thanks, EG
  41. P

    Has anyone heard of Computational Science?

    Hello all, Has anyone majored in or heard of Computational Science? If so what is about and how is the job market for it upon graduation. Thanks EG
  42. thrill3rnit3

    Math Computational mathematics/computational physics and the video game industry

    Can I use a computational maths/physics degree to work in the video game industry?
  43. A

    Applied and Computational Mathematics?

    Applied and Computational Mathematics?? Hi, Honestly, I don't know how to put my question in words. However, I will give it a shot. I have completed Engineering degree in Electronics so i have good knowledge of mathematics and also Programming. Recently I am using Mathematica to...
  44. K

    Energy and computational complexity of atomic interactions

    Hi Recently I've been pondering the causes of enormous difference in energy requirements between modeling a complex process like fluid dynamics on computer and the actual energy required in the physical fluid. In a computer, it takes hundreds or thousands of processors long periods of time to...
  45. D

    How Can I Create Visual Aids and Numeric Examples for Advanced Physics Courses?

    Hey, I am a physics undergrad, and I have been recently given a task to help my physics instructor with providing visual aids and numeric examples for his class. Meaning for a given number of problems in the textbook I will take the analytic solutions and make a numerical example(s) out of it...
  46. X

    Need an idea for a computational physics project

    I need an idea for a final project for my computational physics course. The problem is that I've only had intro mechanics and intro E&M courses so far and I'm currently taking modern physics. It seems like any interesting projects would require more physics than I've had so far. I was...
  47. R

    Computational physics problems that involve nontrivial CS concepts?

    I'm a 3rd year physics major and my friend is a 3rd year computer science major, and for a bit of fun we want to do some sort of project that will utilize both of our skills. Some sort of computational physics problem seems appropriate, but with my limited knowledge, it seems that a lot of them...
  48. B

    Computational Phy. Methods and Sim. (question)

    I'm trying to find a good starting point in comp. phy. ; emphasizing particles,chemical,physical problems,solid state,q.m,nanotech... simulations into a (2D or 3D) virtual environment(for research and engineering), (analogy: just like game engines or robotics animations), in an quantitative and...
  49. haushofer

    SUSY computational questions:dots

    Hi, I'm reading Bilal's notes on SUSY, hep-th/0101055v1, and have some computational questions. So I understand that spinors can be seen as objects carrying the basis rep. of SL(2,C), and how SO(3,1) is locally isomorphic to SU(2)XSU(2), giving basically two "sectors". With dots and bars we...
  50. L

    Getting Into Scientific Computing & Career Options in Computational Science

    After a long bumbling few years and with much help on various thread from the physics forums folks, I think I am now going to take the path of least resistance and finish up my CS degree. Prior I had planned to go through with a physics degree, but it just isn't practical at this time and I...
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