Course info

Course Placement

Introductory Computational Physics is a core course offered to second year students of B.Tech Hons. ICT (Minor in Computational Science) program. It is a pre-requisite for course on Modeling and Simulation.

 Course format

• 3 hours lecture per week.
• 3 hours lab per week. LAB 207. (Software : MATLAB)

 Course content

This is a calculus based introductory computational physics course aimed to develop insight into solving problems using Newton's laws of motion and basics principles of mechanics. Course focuses on topics such as fundamental concepts of classical mechanics, oscillations, dynamics of system of particles and rigid bodies, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics, Rotational Motion and Rigid Bodies.

 Approach to be followed:

problem→theory→model→Compuational implementation (MATLAB)→ assessment and analysis

 Text Books

Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems, 5^th edition, S. T. Thornton and J. B. Marion, Cengage Learning, 2012.

Classical Mechanics, 3^rd  Edition, H. Goldstein, C. Poole, and J. Safko, Pearson India, 2011.

Any MATLAB book.

 Assessment method/ Grading

Theoretical/Exam: Two mid-semester examinations and a final examination: 65% (20+20+25)

Lab207: Lab Assignment/ report submission: 30% + 5% (attendance)

 Grading scheme is relative and depends on both: class performance and minimum expectation from a student.

 Course Outcomes

Introductory Computational Physics course will help the students to analyze and model simple mechanical systems using both Newtonian mechanics and, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approaches. The course will also prepare the students to build computational models to investigate dynamical system.

 After completing this course a student will have the ability

• To understand and analyze motion in real world surroundings using a small set of powerful fundamental principles. The course will enhance the student’s problem solving skills.
• To design, model and investigate complex engineering problems.