Computational Modelling and Simulation in Engineering Physics
Code
11537
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Física
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
José Paulo Moreira dos Santos, Luís Nobre Gonçalves
Weekly hours
3
Total hours
43
Teaching language
Inglês
Objectives
Knowledge at graduate level in computational and simulation methods.
Prerequisites
Programming proficiency. Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. Undergraduate course in Physical Engineering or equivalent.
Subject matter
0. Introducton to the python language with emphasis on agent-based simulations. Cellular automata examples.
1. Reading and writing files. Histograms. Graphics.
2. Central limit theorem. Random number generators.
3. Simulation of electric current in a rectangle of resistive paper.
4. Percolation and analogy with forest fires.
5. Monte Carlo simulations of random walks: simple, non-reversible and self-avoiding random walks.
6. Ferromagnetism: Ising model; Monte Carlo simulations with the Ising model.
7. Genetic algorithms: experimental data fitting.
8. Case studies.
Bibliography
7."Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems" C. Gros (2015)
8."A Guide to Simulation" P. Bratley, B. Fox, L. Schrag (1987) CIUL-1023
9."Hidden Order: How Adaptation Builds Complexity" J. Holland (1995) TJ217.HOL
10."An Introduction to Computer Simulation in Applied Science" F. Abraham, W. Tiller (1972)
11."Introduction to Computational Science: Modeling and Simulation for the Sciences", A. B. Shiflet, G. W. Shiflet (2014)
12."Basic Concepts in Computational Physics" B. A. Stickler, E. Schachinger (2016)
13. "A Primer on Scientific Programming with Python" H. P. Langtangen (2016) QA76.73.SPR FCT 82711 (e-book)
Teaching method
In each block of the program syllabus an introduction to the topic, and or methods, is presented by the teacher. The students implement a minimal base program, obtain results and analyze them. The program is changed by the students, with teacher supervision, other assumptions or methods of simulation are explored and the new results are analyzed and compared with previous ones. The sudents present the program to the teacher in the classroom and at a predefined date, the students deliver the final program.