CST 210 - Fundamentals of Computational Science (3)

Prerequisite: High School precalculus or equivalent.

Computational science lies at the intersection of the natural/social sciences, mathematics, and computer science. It involves using computational tools such as numerical computing/analysis, computer simulations, scientific visualization, symbolic computing, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling to solve problems in the sciences. This course introduces students to the modeling process, methods of solving or simulating models using a computer, methods of statistical analysis for validating models, visualization techniques, basic programming, and elements of good programming practice. Open source computational tools will be used.

Students who complete the course will be able to work through the process of designing, coding, and debugging a computer program; use a general approach to creating mathematical models in a variety of disciplines; map scientific or mathematical modeling problems to a computational framework; implement solutions or simulations of models using appropriate Python code; use basic statistical tools to assess reliability of models; use computer graphics tools to visualize model solutions or simulations; and collaborate successfully in a team working on a project.