506  (Winter 2020)

PHYS 506:  Numerical Methods -- statistics and data analysis with quantum applications

TTH       1:00-2:20pm    PAB B101

Instructor:   Silas Beane   (silas at uw.edu)      B457     OH:  when I'm in (T,W,Th are best)

Subject Matter

Topics will include the theory of statistics, data analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, and statistical learning. We will take examples

from classical and quantum systems. Among other things, you should come away from this course with the ability to manipulate 

and analyze large, noisy data sets. Note that this is not a programming course. However, programming will be required. 

(It goes without saying that you should never, ever, show me your code.)

Note for undergraduates: This will be a graduate course in physics. Solid understanding of quantum and statistical mechanics 

--as well as mathematical methods-- at the graduate level will be assumed. 

Main Text

Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis for Physicists, by Gerhard Bohm, Günter Zech

Other Texts

Modern Statistical Methods for Astronomy, by Eric D. Feigelson and G. Jogesh Babu

Statistical Data Analysis, by Glen Cowan 

Computational Physics, by Morten Hjorth-Jensen

Computational Physics, by Matthias Troyer

Other (truly excellent) Sources

Peter Young's Computational Physics course at UCSC 

Helmut Katzgraber's Computational Physics course at Texas A&M

Homework, project and grades

There will be several long homeworks during the quarter and a final project/presentation. Each of these elements

will count equally towards a final grade.

Calendar

Religious Accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).