Department of Physics
Concentration in Computational Physics (Bachelor of Science in Physics)
Students on Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 requirements PHYCOMPCON
Requirements
The concentration requires at least 10 credit hours (in addition to the courses taken in the core
of the major), including the requirements listed below.
- Introduction to Programming. One (1) course:
- PHYS-P 325 Computing Skills for Physical Scientists
- CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I
- CSCI-C 200 Introduction to Computers and Programming
- CSCI-C 211 Introduction to Computer Science
PHYS-P 325 Computing Skills for Physical Scientists
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PHYS-P 201 and PHYS-P 202; or PHYS-P 221 and PHYS-P 222; and MATH-M 211, MATH-S 211, or equivalent
- Description
- Computer skills with application to upper-division physical science courses: use of Python as a programming language and Mathematica for symbolic manipulation; data fitting and visualization; numerical and Monte Carlo methods.
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I
- Description
- Fundamental programming constructs, including loops, arrays, classes and files. General problem-solving techniques. Emphasis on modular programming, user-interface design, and developing good programming style. Not intended for computer science majors.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
CSCI-C 200 Introduction to Computers and Programming
- Description
- This course is an introduction, broadly, to algorithmic thinking and, specifically, to programming. It teaches the basics of programming using real world applications in natural, physical and social sciences. Students will develop ability to program by identifying problems in real world and then creating a program that solves the problem.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
CSCI-C 211 Introduction to Computer Science
- Description
- A first course in computer science for those intending to take advanced computer science courses. Introduction to programming and to algorithm design and analysis. Using the Scheme programming language, the course covers several programming paradigms. Lecture and laboratory.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Programming Applications. One (1) course:
- PHYS-P 410 Computing Applications in Physics
PHYS-P 410 Computing Applications in Physics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PHYS-P 301; and CSCI-A 201 or CSCI-A 304; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Computing methods and techniques applied to a broad spectrum of physics problems. Emphasis on least-squares method and other curve-fitting techniques of nonlinear functions; Monte Carlo methods; data manipulation, including sorting, retrieval, and display.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Advanced Programming Applications. One (1) course:
- PHYS-P 411 Computing Applications in Physics II
- AST-A 405 Computational Astrophysics
- CSCI-B 455 Principles of Machine Learning
- MATH-M 471 Numerical Analysis I
PHYS-P 411 Computing Applications in Physics II
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PHYS-P 410; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Continuation of PHYS-P 410 including introduction to stochastic modeling, statistical mechanics and quantum systems, improving code performance.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
AST-A 405 Computational Astrophysics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- AST-A 202 or AST-A 222; MATH-M 120, MATH-M 212, or MATH-S 212; and PHYS-P 301 or PHYS-H 301; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Efficient analysis of quantitative astronomical data requires the use of computers. Helps students build a computational skill set that can be used for carrying out research projects in astronomy/astrophysics or other fields. Covers a range of topics, from the sources of astronomical data to the presentation of the results.
CSCI-B 455 Principles of Machine Learning
- Description
- In this course, we explore (machine learning) algorithms that can learn from and make predictions on data. This course introduces the statistical, mathematical, and computational foundations of these frameworks, with a strong focus on understanding the mathematical derivations for the algorithms and simultaneously implementing the algorithms.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
MATH-M 471 Numerical Analysis I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MATH-M 301, MATH-M 303, or MATH-S 303; and MATH-M 311 or MATH-S 311; and MATH-M 343 or MATH-S 343
- Notes
- Knowledge of a computer language such as FORTRAN, C, C++, etc., is essential for success in this course. Students with other programming backgrounds should consult the instructor
- Description
- Interpolation and approximation of functions, numerical integration and differentiation, solution of nonlinear equations, acceleration and extrapolation, solution of systems of linear equations, eigenvalue problems, initial and boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations, and computer programs applying these numerical methods.
- Final Project. One (1) course:
- PHYS-X 498 Research Project
PHYS-X 498 Research Project
- Credits
- 1–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor or supervisor
- Description
- Research participation in group or independent project under the supervision of a faculty member in departmental research areas; or topic agreed upon between the student and supervisor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in PHYS-S 406 and PHYS-X 498.
- Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Concentration GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Concentration Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
- Concentration Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
Concentration Area Courses
-
Courses that may apply toward the Credit Hours and GPA requirements in this academic program include all courses listed on the requirement course lists at the time the course was taken as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent.
Exceptions to and substitutions for concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.