- Course name:
- Computational Physics Lab
- Course number:
- PH 365.
- Instructor:
- David Roundy
- Office hours:
3-4 Thursdays in Weniger 401B, or by appointment, either over Zoom or in person.
Zoom room for class
- Course credits:
- 1
- Class meeting times:
- 3 hours of lecture per week
- Prerequisites:
- PH213, This course is expected to be taken alongside the Paradigms.
- Course description:
- A project-driven laboratory experience in computational physics. Includes the use of basic mathematical and numerical techniques in computer calculations leading to solutions for typical physical problems. Topics to be covered will coordinate with the Paradigms in Physics course sequence.
- Learning outcomes:
-
-
1) Write functions and entire programs in python
-
2) Apply the python programming language to solve scientific problems
-
3) Use the matplotlib and numpy packages
-
4) Model the physical systems studied in the course
- Course content:
-
See also course schedule.
- Evaluation of student performance:
Challenge tasks
This course is intended for students
without any programming experience.
Students who do have programming experience are encouraged to solve
the “challenge problem” each week in a programming language of their choice. A
student who successfully solves problem will not be required to attend class for that week.
Grading
The goal of the grading scheme is to ensure that all students have an
excellent opportunity to learn in this course. Because it is a lab
course, students' presence in class is necessary for their own
learning. Because we work in pairs during the lab, absences will
affect the learning of other students.
- 50%
- class attendance
- 50%
- class participation
Students will receive one point for each class attended, an additional
point for their participation in class, for a total of 40 points in
the class. In most cases, students will receive a point for
participation for each class session they attend. If the
participation point is docked, the student will be informed of the
reason. For the purposes of grading, the final exam counts as one day
of class. The point for participation may be docked for any of the
following reasons:
- Arriving late, leaving early
- These inconvenience your partner, who is forced
to work alone for a portion of the class period.
- Ignoring partner
- If you refuse to listen to and work well with
your partner, you may lose your participation credit for the day.
Apart from exceptional cases (e.g. verbal abuse), you will be given
a warning.
- Not working
- If you do not work on class activities during the
class, naturally your participation grade will suffer.
On the converse, if you need to be absent from class, you may be
granted participation credit if you inform the instructor in advance,
so plans may be made to compensate for your absence.
Grading scale
|
95% | A |
|
90% | A- |
|
85% | B |
|
75% | C |
|
65% | D |
|
<60% | F
|
This scale means that students can have one unexpected absence or two
excused absences while still obtaining an A- grade. To be clear,
“excused absences” do affect the attendance portion of the grade.
- Course Expectations and Policies
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 please consult OSU Quarantine and Isolation
guidelines to determine your next steps. If you are unable to attend a class session please review
the recording. After viewing the recorded session please email me and summarize what you
heard and saw, add your contribution and questions.
If you are ill (or caring for someone who is:
I am here to support your success during these challenging times, too. Please reach out to me
directly if you are concerned about your ability to engage in course activities while you are ill.
You can do so by sending me an email. You need not disclose private
medical information or provide documentation of your illness. The Office of the Dean of
Students can also assist you if you are navigating a range of extenuating life circumstances
including but not limited to prolonged illness, hospitalization, financial concerns, etc. They can
be reached via Zoom chat or audio Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at https://paradigms.oregonstate.eduhttps://beav.es/4qQ
or by email at support.odos@oregonstate.edu.
COVID-19 precautions: During this public health emergency we all have a shared responsibility to each
other to take steps to reduce spread and transmission of COVID-19. This includes getting fully
vaccinated as soon as you are eligible, following all OSU and public health authority guidance
and regulations, including maintaining physical distancing at all times, wearing face coverings
in shared spaces, and staying home if you are sick or have been in close contact with a known or
suspected COVID-19 case. If you need to stay home due to illness or potential exposure, please
contact your instructor who will work with you to facilitate your continued engagement with the
course material and make up assignments with no penalty for lateness. For the updates from
OSU on COVID-19 safety and mitigation measures, visit: https://paradigms.oregonstate.eduhttps://covid.oregonstate.edu/.
Attending class remotely:
Students may choose to attend class remotely (unless we run into unanticipated technical difficulties).
If you wish to attend remotely, you must notify the instructor in advance, and will log into the class via Zoom.
You will be paired with another student, and will program on one of the class laptops via remote control. Your
partner may be either remote or in-person. If you are able to bring headphone to class, please do so, if you are
willing to be paired with a remote student or assisted by a remote teaching instructor.
- Academic calendar:
- All students are subject to the registration and refund deadlines as stated
in the Academic Calendar:
https://registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar
- Statement regarding students with disabilities:
- Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved
by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are
eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact
DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at
http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies
students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and
coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required,
students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the
implementation of individual accommodations.
- Expectations of student conduct:
- Students are expected to comply with the University code of
conduct, available at https://beav.es/codeofconduct.
- Student bill of rights
OSU has twelve established student rights. They include due process in all university disciplinary processes, an equal opportunity to learn, and grading in accordance with the course syllabus: https://asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/rights
- Reach out for success:
- University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter
difficulties and need assistance, it’s important to reach out. Consider
discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn
about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at
oregonstate.edu/ReachOut.
If you are in immediate crisis, please contact
the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)