PGH Python: Trial By Fire Intro to Scientific Computation in the Physics Major

Presented by Professor Mike McCracken of Washington & Jefferson College

Computation is an essential component of modern scientific research; unfortunately, many science students’ introduction to this tool is, at best, ad hoc. In this talk I’ll argue that recent development of programming suites, especially in python, makes teaching meaningful programming skills to non-CS students easy and impactful. I’ll give an overview of a course in scientific computation required of second-year physics majors at Washington & Jefferson College. The course uses context-based introductions to basic computational skills to prepare students for independent research and careers in technical fields, and, perhaps more importantly, to view computing as a versatile tool. I welcome discussion about ways to augment course content to include topics useful to industrial or tech applications.