Programming for Aspiring Scientists: Python with Applications to Physics
The use of computers in today’s world has become nearly universal, whether you use them to Google the latest factoid, send an email, write a paper for school, or carry out a calculation. This two-week course will give you a glimpse into how scientists use computers to solve problems.
We will begin by learning how to use Python, an open-source programming environment. Computers can only do what is asked of them, so scientists must write instructions for carrying out tasks. We will learn how to create these instructions, called algorithms, and translate them into Python code. We will learn how to visualize and fit data, and apply programming techniques to a variety of physical examples, ranging from figuring out how the trajectory of a soccer ball is altered by air resistance, to modeling chaos generated in weather systems.
Students may attend this course either in person or online.
In Person Schedule: M - F, 9am - 4pm. This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
Online Schedule: Live, synchronous sessions will meet M - F 9:15am - 12:15pm (EST). Plus additional asynchronous work as assigned.
Attendance
Students attending the online program are expected to attend all class sessions live in real time. In order to prioritize the health and well-being of participants, eligibility is restricted to applicants residing in time zones where class hours do not extend beyond midnight. Please use a time zone converter to check when class sessions will meet in your time zone.
We will begin by learning how to use Python, an open-source programming environment. Computers can only do what is asked of them, so scientists must write instructions for them. We will learn how to create these instructions, called algorithms, and translate them into Python code. And then we will learn how to visualize and fit data and apply this knowledge to a variety of examples, ranging from figuring out how the trajectory of a soccer ball is altered by air resistance, to modeling epidemics. No previous programming experience is assumed.
Pre-Requisites
- At least one year of high school math and science preferred
- No previous programming experience needed
- Those new to programming highly encouraged
Materials
- A laptop, if you possess one, else we will provide one
- Install the free “PhyPhox” app on your smartphone
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Work with the syntax and data types of a programming language, Python
- Apply a programming language (Python and its associated libraries) to
- Read and analyze data
- Plot functions and data
- Generate functional fits to data
- Find numerical solutions of ordinary differential equations (equations that describe the time evolution of a physical system)
Class time for in-person students is Monday - Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:15–10:30 AM |
In-Person/Online (Synchronous) on Zoom: Session 1 lecture + activity |
|
10:30–10:45 AM |
Short Break |
|
10:50–12:10 PM |
In-Person/Online (Synchronous) on Zoom: Session 2 lecture + activity |
|
12:15–1:15 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
1:15–4:00 PM |
In-person: time to work on daily exercises/projects/labs Online students: Work on your own at home/ask questions via Zoom |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Dr. Shubha Tewari, Senior Lecturer II, Department of Physics
Director, STEM Education Institute
Dr. Shubha Tewari is a Senior Lecturer II at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Director of the STEM Education Institute. A theoretical condensed matter physicist, she uses analytical techniques and computer simulation methods to study the collective behavior of soft matter systems such as granular materials and foams. Most of her research these days is done in collaboration with undergraduates, something she greatly enjoys.
Shubha grew up in India, getting her Masters’ degree at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India, and then did her PhD at the University of California, Los Angeles and postdoctoral work at the University of Virginia before moving to Amherst, MA. She taught at Mount Holyoke College, Western New England University and TIFR Hyderabad, India, before moving to UMass in early 2015.
As an instructor, Shubha is deeply interested in improving the classroom experience for students using active learning methods. She is an NRMN-trained mentor and mentoring-workshop facilitator, and an enthusiastic organizer of outreach activities for the scientifically curious of all ages.
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