NYCCS/Physics Seminar

Robert Panoff, PhD - Tuesday , March 4, 2008 -4:15 PM

Harriman Building - Room 137

Many-Body for Anybody: A Computational Science Exploration of the Physics of More Than One Thing

Abstract: Computational science continues to advance the accurate description and prediction of the dynamics of many-body systems with new applications, algorithms, and architectures. Moving from the researcher's workbench to the classroom, real-time model solutions and simulations are now possible in most every area of education and research in physics. These interactive learning environments help us to understand complex systems, while opening up new areas of learner-centered, group-oriented, discovery-based learning.

We will explore such simulation environments from atoms to galaxies. As we progress to petascale computing environments, the use of more complex numerical models of these systems demands a greater emphasis on the fundamentals of quantitative reasoning, computational thinking, and multiscale modeling with special attention to verification and validation: how do you know if it is right?