The Art of Scientific Computation

Description

The physical, social and engineering sciences make widespread use of numerical simulations and graphical representations that link underlying their theoretical foundations with experimental or empirical data. These approaches are routinely designed and conducted by researchers with little or no formal training in computation, assembling instead the necessary skills from a variety of sources. There is an art to assembling computational tools that both achieve their goals and make good effective use of the available computational resources. This subject introduces students to a wide range of skills that are commonly encountered in the design and construction of computational tools in research applications: These skills are introduced to the student by undertaking a short project that is selected in consultation with the Subject Coordinator. Teaching Period: 2 March 2026 to 31 May 2026 Assessment Information: Description Timing Percentage The software tools that are written by the student and submitted will be assessed on the basis of their accuracy in achieving the goals of the project and the computational efficiency with which these goals are met (60% of total assessment). 100 hours Hurdle requirement: The software developed by the student must be submitted electronically in a form that it can be (if necessary) compiled and executed and must include sample input and output files. End of semester 60% A document that describes the design of the software tools, the context of the project (which may be in any branch of physical, social or engineering science) and specimen applications of the software will contribute the remaining 40% of the assessment. 40 hours Hurdle requirement: A document formatted using LaTeX must be submitted that describes the design and operation of the computer code produced by the student End of semester 40% Additional details This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components. The subject develops skills through a project-based approach comprising (i) the design and implementation of computer software and (ii) the verification and documentation of that software. The assessment is based on the student's achievement of these two tasks: