? Credit Points : 10  ? SCQF Level : 10  ? Acronym : PHY-4-ModVis

This course covers the process of mapping a scientific problem onto a computer algorithm to enable it to be modelled, along with an introduction to Java graphics to help visualise the solution. Example problems will be drawn from the Junior Honours physics programme, with additional examples from 'everyday' problems.

? Pre-requisites : At least 40 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q; including Computational Methods (PHY-3-CompMeth) or Advanced Computer Simulation (PHY-3-CompSim) or Computer Science 2A (INF-2-CS2A) and Computer Science 2B (INF-2-CS2B) from Schedule O. Computational Methods (PHY-3-CompMeth) students are advised to perform a preliminary reading of Computer Simulation (PHY-2-CompSim).

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 4 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 08/01/2008 14:00 16:00 Lecture Room 6206, JCMB KB

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 14:00 15:50 KB Lecture Thursday 14:00 14:50 KB Lecture Friday 14:00 15:50 KB

Upon successful completion it is intended that the student will be able to:

1)Write complex simulation codes in java
2)Design and write simple visualisation software in java, depicting evolving fields, moving particles, and graphs; interface this software to simulation codes
3)Design and write simple graphical user interfaces in java
4)Locate, understand, download and incorporate useful publically-available methods from outwith the course materials using the WWW; appreciate the difference between reusable object-oriented coding and plagiarism
5)Understand and apply three major techniques of computer coding: integrating an equation, minimising a function and sampling from a distribution
6)Have completed simulations of Molecular dynamics of many particles; cellular automata and the percolation transition; the Ising model for ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetic phase transitions; Maxwell's equations, understanding the usefulness of the vector potential; Develop a deeper understanding of these physical problems through simulation
7)Understand the notion of equilibration of a simulation, and efficient data-gathering, and their relation to simulation time
8)Appreciate the aspects of a code which limit computer performance, the source conflict between object-oriented and computationally efficient code, and the occasions where each is to be preferred
9)Appreciate the importance of documentation and commenting in ensuring reusability; Write user guides in English to enable third parties to use the codes; Understand the transatlantic spelling issues arising from the course title
10)Have built a personal library of methods which will enable the student to complete a simple, unseen coding task effectively and quickly

5 checkpoints, 50%
Examined practical in CP Lab, 50%

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST May 1 - 3 hour(s)

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Mrs Linda Grieve
Tel : (0131 6)50 5254
Email : linda.grieve@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Prof Graeme Ackland
Tel : (0131 6)50 5299
Email : gjackland@ed.ac.uk

Course Website : http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/~graeme/MVP/

School Website : http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.scieng.ed.ac.uk/