Notices by Faculty Boards, etc.

Scientific Computing for the M.Phil. Degree, 2024–25

The Degree Committee for the Faculty of Physics and Chemistry gives notice that for the examination in Scientific Computing for the degree of Master of Philosophy by advanced study (Statutes and Ordinances, p. 537) the form of examination in 2024–25 will be as follows:

Type	Description and credit
Written examination	Minimum of three papers, two-hour written examination (25%)
Written assignments	Two written assignments, each of 3,000–5,000 words (25%)
Project reports	Two 7,500-word project reports, marked individually, of equal weight of 25% each (50%)

Modules examined by means of written examination

These modules take place in Michaelmas Term 2024 and cover two research streams: atomistic (A) and continuum (C).

Candidates are required to attend all examinable modules related to their chosen stream, and should choose a minimum of three papers for examination; the written examination mark will be the average of the three highest marks attained.

The following papers will each be examined by a two-hour written examination.

Papers 1 and 2 will consist of four questions, of which candidates will be required to answer all.
Papers 3 and 4 will consist of three questions, of which candidates will be required to answer all.
Papers 5–9 will consist of three questions, of which candidates will be required to answer two.

Module	Paper No.	Stream
Electronic structure	Paper 1	(A)
Atomistic modelling of materials	Paper 2	(A)
Introduction to topological materials	Paper 3	(A)
Advanced atomistic simulation techniques	Paper 4	(A)
Numerical methods for compressible fluid dynamics	Paper 5	(C)
Numerical methods for incompressible fluid dynamics	Paper 6	(C)
Simulation of matter under extreme conditions	Paper 7	(C)
Simulation of complex incompressible and low-strain rate phenomena	Paper 8	(C)
Multiphysics modelling for four states of matter	Paper 9	(C)

Paper 2: Atomistic modelling of materials and Paper 4: Advanced atomistic simulation techniques will require the use of a calculator.

Modules examined by written assignments and project reports

The course offers a number of modules whose content is essential to the completion of the written assignments and research project. These are examinable by means of two written assignments and two project reports.

Candidates should attend all the modules which are relevant to their research stream. The modules offered may vary each year, and may be withdrawn if necessary due to unforeseeable circumstances and/or lack of resources. The course may also introduce additional modules at short notice, on topics which are relevant to the candidates’ study requirements.

The modules examined by written assignments and project reports which the course plans to offer for this academic year will take place in Michaelmas and Lent Terms and are as follows:

Foundation course in QM and solid state physics (A)
Scientific programming in C++ (A, C)
Advanced computational algorithms for PDEs (C)
Foundation course for the continuum modules (C)
Research computing (A, C)
Programming with GPUs/CUDA (A, C)
Open MP (A, C)
Message passing interface (A, C)
Data visualisation techniques (A, C)
Adaptive mesh refinement (C)
Advanced research computing (A, C)