Introduction to Scientific Computing, 5 credits

About the course

Today, a common way to study and analyse different processes in natural sciences, engineering, and also in human sciences, is to use computers, simulations and mathematical and statistical models. Simulations on the computer screen works as a complement to, and sometimes as a replacement to experiments and theory. Computers and mathematical/statistical models are used to describe the reality and to produce new products that can be more energy efficient and more friendly to the environment. Models and simulation are also used to study the future, for example climate change, and can therefore affect political decisions. When computations take place in computers, the methods that are used are very different from the hand calculation methods you learnt in school. In Scientific Computing we study these computational methods.

In this course you learn about the principles and the ideas behind these computational methods, but also how think when you solve problems on with computers and programming. Basic concepts, ideas, methods in scientific computing are covered in the course. The main themes in the course are numeric solutions to integrals, non-linear equations and differential equations in one variable.