corso|33588

GENERAL OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the course is to teach students the use of computers for solving some fundamental problems in physics. This is achieved by teaching students some advanced elements of the C programming language, along with several algorithms which, although simple, are widely applicable in different contexts. At the end of the course, students will have acquired a sufficiently in-depth knowledge of the C programming language and other operational tools useful for data analysis and their graphic representation. They will have acquired the skills necessary to solve physics problems of medium difficulty with the computer and to autonomously implement algorithms of a certain complexity. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: A - Knowledge and understanding OF 1) Advanced elements of C programming (dynamic allocation, struct, recursion) OF 2) Basic and advanced algorithms for the integration of ordinary differential equations, for the generation of pseudo-random numbers, and for the study of simple stochastic processes (random walk, reticular gas and percolation) OF 3) Understand a program written in C language B - Application skills OF 4) Be able to implement an algorithm in C language OF 5) Knowing how to solve, with the use of computers, medium difficulty physics problems that are described by differential equations or by a simple stochastic process OF 6) Being able to find errors in a program written in C language (debugging) and knowing how to correct them OF 7) Be able to perform, with IT tools, simple data analysis (e.g. performing averages and the calculation of the error for independent measurements), and their graphical representation C - Autonomy of judgment OF 8) Knowing how to independently evaluate if a program written in C language correctly executes a given algorithm and if this implementation is efficient D - Communication skills OF 9) Knowing how to discuss critically the choices made in the implementation of a given algorithm in a program written in C language OF 10) Knowing how to present in written form the results of the study of a physical problem carried out numerically using the computer E - Ability to learn OF 11) Have the ability to consult the description of a new algorithm or understand a C language program written by others