NFYA04020U The Physics of Algorithms

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Physics
Content
To provide the students with a toolbox of optimization and modeling algorithms along with a sense of which ones work best in a given situation 
To inspire the students to make use of analogies between physics and optimization and develop new ones

Recent methods are covered where physics has contributed significantly to the understanding and development of algorithms. Examples include Monte Carlo type algorithms like simulated annealing and genetic algorithms as well as maximum entropy solutions, information theory, and neural nets. A number of such algorithms will be presented theoretically as well as in practice, and the connections between physics and optimization will be emphasized. Students will get hands-on experience with implementing the methods during the exercise sessions. Students are expected to put serious effort into these implementations.
Learning Outcome

Skills
The students have completed the course in full when they can:

  • Identify analogies between physical phenomena and optimization
  • Select and use optimizations methods for a particular problem and argue for their choice
  • Identify optimization opportunities in their own field of research

Knowledge
Through this course the student will learn about modeling algorithms, optimization, Monte Carlo calculations, information theory, neural nets, a.o. Emphasis will be on understanding the relationship between physics and optimization. The students will also learn that many traditional physics laws are really optimized outcomes of particular objective functions.

Competences
The student will at the end of this course be able to understand algorithms and optimization, see their relation to physics, and especially use these techniques within their own field of research.

Course notes and excerpts from articles and books are available on the course webpage for registered students.
Contents of the first year of the physics bachelor program including supporting courses.
Mixture of lectures and exercises.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 159,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 16
  • Theory exercises
  • 0,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 min
Written assignment
Each student has a choice between two forms of exam:
- a traditional oral exam without preparation time.
- a term report of max. 15 pages about a personal project agreed on between the student and teacher.
The date for the examination and the due date of the report are the same.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
See Skills