Physics Major:
Computational Physics Track
The goal of the Computational Physics program is to prepare students for success in applying the power of computers to the solution of physics and engineering problems. Majors take a combination of mathematics, computer science, and physics courses designed to increase their knowledge of physical laws and processes, mathematics, and quantitative abilities, as well as the computational physics courses where they apply these skills to the solution of physical problems where analytic techniques are insufficient.
Computational Physics majors learn a wide variety of practical numerical techniques including curve fitting, approximations of derivatives and integrals, root finding, solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations, Fourier series, Monte Carlo methods, and many more. In addition, they gain experience utilizing important numerical software tools that are used in academic and industrial settings, such as Maple, MATLAB, in addition to gaining competency in programming languages such as FORTRAN and C++.
Computational Physicists at Francis Marion include:
Course Requirements
Physics
- PHYS 200 – Technical Physics I
- PHYS 201 – Technical Physics II
- PHYS 202 – Technical Physics III
- PHYS 220 – Computational Methods for Physics and Engineering
- PHYS 301 – Classical Mechanics (
- PHYS 302 – Electricity and Magnetism (
- PHYS 314 – Modern Physics
- PHYS 320 – Computational Statistical and Thermal Physics
- PHYS 401 – Quantum Mechanics
- PHYS 406 – Advanced Computational Physics
- PHYS 410 – Advanced Laboratory in Physics
- PHYS 419 – Senior Seminar in Physics
Mathematics
- MATH 201 – Calculus I
- MATH 202 – Calculus II
- MATH 203 – Calculus III
- MATH 301 – Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH 304* – Linear Algebra
- MATH 306 – Multivariable Calculus
- MATH 312* – Probability and Statistics for Science/Math
- MATH 425* – Numerical Analysis
*Highly recommended for students in this track
Chemistry
- CHEM 111/111L – General Chemistry I: General Concepts/Lab
- CHEM 112/112L – General Concepts II: General Concepts Chemistry/Lab
Computer Science
- CS 190 – Programming Fundamentals OR CS 226 – Program & Algorithmic Design I OR MATH 213 – Scientific Programming in Python
No additional minor or collateral is required. The minimum number of semester hours required in physics courses for the computational physics concentration is 36. The minimum number of semester hours in all courses (major and non-major) required for a computational physics concentration is 120. Students desiring to take additional hours in physics are strongly encouraged to do so.
Course Descriptions
-
CHEM 111 – General Chemistry I: General Concepts in Chemistry
Prerequisites/Corequisites: MATH 111 (or MATH 111E).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: The states of matter, including the gas...
-
CHEM 111L – General Chemistry I Laboratory: General Concepts in Chemistry
Prerequisites/Corequisites: CHEM 111 and MATH 111 (or MATH 111E).
Credit Hours: Min: 1; Max:Description: Introductory laboratory experiments reinforce...
-
CHEM 112 – Gen Chem II: General Concepts Chemistry
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L.
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Oxidation-reduction, equilibria, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, acids and...
-
CHEM 112L – Gen Chem II Lab: Concept Lab
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L. (Required, Previous). | Take CHEM 112. (Required, Concurrent).
Credit Hours: Min: 1;... -
CS 190 - Programming Fundamentals
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-111 or MATH-121. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Introduction to problem-solving and algorithm development...
-
CS 190L - Programming Fundamentals Lab
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-111 or MATH-121. (Required, Previous). | Take CS-190. (Required, Concurrent).
Credit Hours: Min: 1; Max:Description: Laboratory...
-
CS 226 - Program & Algorithmic Design I
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take CS-190; Minimum grade C. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Introduction to problem-solving with algorithm...
-
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take 1 group (Take MATH-132; Minimum grade C /Take MATH-137; Minimum grade C /Take MATH-S570). (Required, Previous).
Credit... -
MATH 201L - Calculus I Workshop
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-201. (Required, Concurrent).
Credit Hours: Min: 1; Max:Description: Intensive calculus workshop for students enrolled in...
-
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-201; Minimum grade C. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Continuation of Calculus I,...
-
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-202; Minimum grade C. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Continuation of Calculus II,...
-
MATH 213 - Scientific Programming in Python
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-201. (Required, Previous or concurrent).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Introduction to Python fundamentals including...
-
MATH 301 - Ordinary Differential Equations
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-202; Minimum grade C. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: General first-order differential equations...
-
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-202; Minimum grade C. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Introduction to the algebra...
-
MATH 306 - Multivariable Calculus
Prerequisites/Corequisites: Take MATH-203; Minimum grade C. (Required, Previous).
Credit Hours: Min: 3; Max:Description: Vectors and vector calculus;...
Courses Found: 35
