Introduction to Scientific Simulation class?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the "Introduction to Scientific Simulation" course, exploring its content, programming languages involved, and potential job skills gained from the class. Participants express curiosity about the course structure and its applications in scientific contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what the course will entail, particularly regarding the programming languages used, mentioning their experience with MATLAB and Mathematica.
  • Another participant inquires about the job skills that may be gained from the course, assuming programming experience is one of them.
  • A participant suggests that specific tools or software might vary by instructor and recommends asking the instructor for clarity, noting bureaucratic challenges in updating course descriptions.
  • One participant shares their experience using Mathematica in a similar context, indicating it was interesting and offering to share their work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express curiosity and share experiences, but there is no consensus on the specific content or skills of the course, indicating multiple viewpoints and uncertainty about the course structure.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the specific programming languages and tools that will be taught, as well as the potential job skills that may be acquired, which may depend on the instructor and course updates.

Shinaolord
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I'm not quite sure what this course will entail, but it sounds interesting as I've been very interested in simulations like this, albeit it is a math class (MA1600) and my question is mainly this: what exactly would a class like this entail? What are the usual languages used? I've been required to learn MATLAB and Mathematica for my studies (Michigan Technological University) and here is the course description; ( MA1160/1161 is calculus 1)
"Intro to Sci Simulation
Introduction to simulation, a powerful computational tool for many scientific problems. Case studies and projects will be drawn from various fields. Prior programming experience is not required; all necessary computational skills will be developed in the course.
Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160 or MA 1161"
 
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Also, will this class possibly translate into job skills--if so, which ones do you think it will provide? I assume programming experience
 
If you want to find out what specific tools or software you'll be learning in that class, ask the instructor. That information was probably left out of the official course description because it's likely to change from one year to the next, or from one instructor to the next, and the department doesn't want to lock themselves into something by putting it in the catalog. Also, changing an official course description often requires jumping through bureaucratic hoops. Here, you have to submit new descriptions to the Provost, who passes them on to a faculty/administrative committee for review.

For many years I taught our two-semester introductory programming sequence. The course description didn't specify which language would be used, simply "a modern programming language." I started out (in the late 1980s) using Pascal, and switched to C++ around 1995. Then someone else took over the course in the early 2000s and switched to Java.
 
We used Mathematica, and it was extremely interesting. I have the .nb if anyone would care to look.
 

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