What is computational physics and what is the best way or method to learn computational physics?

[geekynerd]

guys i am currently studying in computer science engineering [1st yr]. i was intrested in physics when i was in high school. due to some circumstances i chose computer science engineering degree. so i want to incoporate computer science engineering with physics and i came across computational physics. i am intrested studying it but i dont know where to start. can you guys recommend me some yt channels or some free courses or some other way to learn the computational physics.

 

[jedishrfu]

There are books you can read that discuss how to write programs that can solve and plot differential equations. Basically, you need to understand programming in a language like Java and understand how to code a system of differential equations in such a way that you can integrate them in a numerical fashion.

One such book was written Tobochnick, and Christian that shows how to use the various open source physics frameworks methods to solve real world physics problems.

https://www.amazon.com/Introduction...-Applications/dp/0805377581?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[Filip Larsen]

Regarding the "what" part you should get some idea by reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_science.

 

[geekynerd]

There are books you can read that discuss how to write programs that can solve and plot differential equations. Basically, you need to understand programming in a language like Java and understand how to code a system of differential equations in such a way that you can integrate them in a numerical fashion.

One such book was written Tobochnick, and Christian that shows how to use the various open source physics frameworks methods to solve real world physics problems.

https://www.amazon.com/Introduction...-Applications/dp/0805377581?tag=pfamazon01-20

thank you for the reply. just now downloaded the softcopy of the book. after my exams i will start to read that book. thanks for the suggestion

 

[jedishrfu]

I've written some of the code using an IDE like Microsoft Code Editor with a Java plugin.

Alternatively, I used the Processing IDE, added the OSP jar to my project, and, with a few mods, was able to run my simulations. I like Processing.

While the Processing IDE is generally easier to work with, the MS Code Editor is probably the best choice, as the book code should run with minimal to no changes.

 

[CrysPhys]

Regarding the "what" part you should get some idea by reading https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_science.

* And here is the Wiki specifically for "computational physics": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_physics

* Computational physics did not exist as a field when I was in school. For those with experience in this field, I have basic questions of key significance for the OP: How much physics background do you need? What is the career path for someone with an undergrad degree in computer science, but no physics courses beyond high school?

 

[geekynerd]

I've written some of the code using an IDE like Microsoft Code Editor with a Java plugin.

Alternatively, I used the Processing IDE, added the OSP jar to my project, and, with a few modes, was able to run my simulations. I like Processing.

While the Processing IDE is generally easier to work with, the MS Code Editor is probably the best choice, as the book code should run with minimal to no changes.

Oh!. thanks for he reply. ok id use that code editor. Today only downloaded the book and started to read it. if i reach to the programming side i would definitely use the microsoft code editor. thanks for helping me out.

 

[jtbell]

You also need to learn physics beyond high-school level.

A Google search for "computational physics degree" led me to e.g. the University at Buffalo which offers a BS and a MS in Computational Physics. Here is the course program for the BS:

https://catalogs.buffalo.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=1&poid=64

It contains (along with computer science and math) the introductory physics sequence (probably based on a textbook like Halliday/Resnick/Walker), and intermediate-level courses in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics (i.e. the "core" of a physics BS).

Other schools like Carnegie Mellon University don't offer a separate BS for computational physics, but instead a computational physics "track" in their physics BS program.

https://www.cmu.edu/physics/undergrad-program/degree-req.html

In this case the computer-science courses would probably take the place of some of the elective courses that a pure physics major would take. The student would still take the "core" physics courses, similarly to the program at Buffalo.