Welcome to Computational Physics!

(Phys 4480/7680, Astro 7690)

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We have planned an exciting semester for you this Fall! -- We will be learning three engaging subjects at once:

powerful numerical methods, and the mathematics behind them;
Julia, a modern, new computer language ideally suited for scientific computing with far greater efficiency and flexibility than matlab or python;
how to construct ab initio electronic-structure software to solve the many-body Schrodinger equation for atoms, molecules, and solids.
(Bonus(!!!): We will also include a module on how to optimize computer code to approach the absolute limits of computational performance through awareness of the computation cost of basic operations, inner loop optimization, proper memory management, cache optimization, and the use of profiling tools.)

As we develop each of the standard numerical methods from its underlying mathematics, we will apply the method to a new aspect of the electronic-structure problem, until, through a series of assignments building upon each other, each student will have built fully functioning electronic structure software from scratch. As the assignments proceed, students will be introduced to more and more aspects of Julia until a working knowledge of the language is built up organically. Finally, the assignments will guide students through best practices for scientific software organization and debugging.

No mathematics background will be assumed other than basic calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. No physics background will be assumed, although familiarity with quantum mechanics at the level of an introductory course will be useful. This course is a perfect follow up for the treatment of atoms in Phys 3316!