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General Objectives:
Applications of numerical methods and computer programming
to
astrophysics, including stellar physics, cosmology and gravitation.
This advanced undergraduate course has as general
objectives:
- to study computational methods used
for modeling astrophysical
and cosmological systems.
- to stress the importance of studying
the reliability
(error, convergence and stability analysis) of a given numerical
algorithm.
- to study the general principles of
scientific visualization.
- to look into the future of computer
parallel architectures
and their impact on modeling astrophysical systems.
Grading Policy:
At least FOUR
homework
assignments will be given during the semester. Homework
problems will typically require writing computer programs based on the
numerical algorithms discussed in class.
- Students are NOT
allowed to consult
with other students.
- Computer programs MUST be written
completely from scratch, with the essential steps fully commented. The
structure of the program can, however, be based, if necessary, on
programs written or discussed by the instructor.
- The instructor reserves the right to
request the student the reproduction of results submitted in homework
assignments.
- Delays in the submission of homework
sets will be penalized ONE
point per day.
TWO 50 minutes
exams will be given. Exams will contain:
- Questions that test the theoretical
background of the numerical algorithms discussed in class
- Problems that have analytic
solutions and do NOT
require the use of a computer.
GRADES are
computed on a 0-10 point scale. The final grade is assigned
using the following conversion table. Plus/minus letter grades are used
only for borderline cases.
| A : |
10 - 8.5 |
| B : |
8.4 - 7.5 |
| C : |
7.4 - 6.5 |
| D : |
6.4 - 5.5 |
| F : |
5.5 - 0 |
Academic
Integrity Policy:
All Penn State
policies
regarding ethics and honorable behavior apply to this course (see http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/).
All University policies regarding academic integrity apply to this
course. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating,
plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating
acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession
of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously
used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic
work of other students. All exam answers must be your own, and you must
not provide any assistance to other students during exams. Any
instances of academic dishonesty WILL be pursued under the University
and Eberly College of Science regulations concerning academic integrity.
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