Programs Programming courses useful for physics majors?

AI Thread Summary
For physics undergraduates, programming skills are essential, with many departments requiring at least one introductory course, typically in C++. While C++ is a common requirement, other languages like Python, C, and Fortran are also highly beneficial for physics applications. Learning programming concepts is emphasized as being more valuable than focusing solely on specific languages. Additionally, gaining experience with GPU programming through OpenCL or CUDA is recommended, as modern graphics cards can significantly enhance computational capabilities. Continuous practice and improvement in programming skills are advised to better inform future language choices.
danielle
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
I'm a physics undergrad and was wondering which programming classes are most useful/beneficial; python, linux, c++, java, etc...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What does your departmental program specify as the required computer programming course or courses? Beyond that, I am only guessing that ANY and ALL programming languages or other such courses could be useful for a Physics student.

Your department MUST have a computer programming course requirement for undergraduate degree in Physics! At least one introductory course.
 
symbolipoint said:
What does your departmental program specify as the required computer programming course or courses? Beyond that, I am only guessing that ANY and ALL programming languages or other such courses could be useful for a Physics student.

Your department MUST have a computer programming course requirement for undergraduate degree in Physics! At least one introductory course.
the phys dept only requires me to take c++, but i wanted to see what else would be useful in the long run, even the ones that aren't required. Thanks for the reply anyways!
 
C, C++, Fortran, and Python should be the most useful for you. After you've got some experience with once or more of those, I'd recommend learning how to use OpenCL and possibly CUDA for GPU accelerated computation. Individual graphics cards these days are as powerful as top tier supercomputers from the early 2000s, so it pays to know how to utilize them.
 
  • Like
Likes danielle
I say this all the time, so why not say it again? I think you will find it much more useful to learn programming than a programming language.
 
  • Like
Likes Wminus
danielle said:
the phys dept only requires me to take c++, but i wanted to see what else would be useful in the long run, even the ones that aren't required. Thanks for the reply anyways!
Vanadium 50 said:
I say this all the time, so why not say it again? I think you will find it much more useful to learn programming than a programming language.
Review, practice, and improve yourself at programming in your C++, and then later, you could decide better which other language to learn.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

Similar threads

Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Back
Top