UC Davis Physics Department

Computational Physics Program

The UCD Physics Department offers a Computational Physics applied physics track in the BS degree. The program emphasizes software development and numerical applications and includes laboratory data acquisition. It provides an option for entering the job market upon graduation. The program is in active development in the department, with further offerings planned and in preparation.

Lower division

In addition to the Physics and Mathematics lower division requirements necessary for a Physics major, the track includes an introduction to programming in C using basic UNIX tools and object-oriented programming in C++. It also includes the prerequisites for the upper division Computer Science courses in the Computational Physics program.

Lower Division Requirements*
Physics series (or substitute honors Physics 9HA-HE) Physics 9A-D 19
Calculus series Math 21A-D 16
Linear algebra and differential equations Math 22A,B 6
Introduction to programming and problem solving ECS 30 4
Object-oriented programming ECS 40 4
Total Lower Division Requirements   49

Upper Division

The upper division program consists of:

  1. the required applied physics core courses (Mathematical Methods, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Electronics, Advanced Lab),
  2. two fundamental upper division computer science courses (Data Structures and Programming and Algorithm Design and Analysis), and
  3. three courses from the designated upper division electives in the areas of computer science, numerical analysis and physics chosen in close consultation with the computational physics faculty adviser.

Upper Division Program*
Upper Division Core (required)
48
    Physics 104A, 104B, 105A, 110A, 110B, 112, 115A, 116A, 116B, 116C
40
    Data structures and programming
ECS 110
4
    Algorithm design and analysis I
ECS 122A
4
Upper Division Electives (3 courses)
10-12
Computer Science
    Introduction to the theory of computing
ECS 120
4
    Algorithm design and analysis II
ECS 122B
4
Numerical Techniques
    Numerical Methods
EAD 115
4
    Scientific Computation
ECS 130
4
    Numerical analysis
Math 128A
4
    Numerical analysis in the solution of equations
Math 128B
4
    Numerical analysis in differential equations
Math 128C
4
Physics
    Continuum mechanics
Physics 105C
4
    Quantum mechanics II
Physics 115B
4
    Introduction to solid state physics I
Physics 140A
4
Total units for major
108-110

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