Using computer simulation classes to raise interest for physics majors in their freshman and sophomore years
Abstract
Most courses at the undergraduate level present physics which was developed more than 70 years ago. This situation can demotivate students, who feel that there is nothing new left to discover in physics. To overcome this impression, we have created a new course ``Introduction to computer simulation in physics'' which is a requirement for all physics majors in the first or second year at the university. This course replaces a programming class and plays two roles : (1) introduce the students to scientific programming, using Python, a very powerful objet-oriented script language and (2) present modern concepts of physics to students early in their program to help motivate them. In order to sustain the rapid pace of the course, we use weekly lectures, group work and individual laboratories. The student response has been extremely positive and we are currently working to integrate the use of Python in the experimental laboratories, in order to increase the impact of this class.
- Publication:
-
APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..MARW38003M