From 2024/2025 onwards, this course will be split into two parts.
Admission requirements
Students should be very experienced with programming in Python. Knowledge of calculus and linear algebra at the bachelor’s level is also required. In terms of the Leiden Astronomy bachelor's curriculum, the prerequisites for this course are Analyse 3 (NA) and Linear Algebra 1 (NA), in addition to being an active programmer.
Description
In this course you will learn how and why some of the most powerful and broadly used algorithms in astrophysics work and gain a deeper understanding of numerical methods. This will allow you to identify the right tool for the job for whatever computational problem you may encounter in astrophysics, and to program more effectively, whether you are fitting data, sampling a distribution, integrating or interpolating functions or optimizing your computational model.
During the lectures we will discuss numerics and consider and derive specific algorithms that are useful in astrophysics. During the problem classes students will work together on applying this knowledge to a computational problem through coding.
The topics covered in the course are:
Numerical arithmetic, error and precision
Inter- and extrapolation
Solving linear equations
Numerical integration and differentiation
Random numbers, distribution sampling and sorting
Root finding, minimization and maximization
Modelling and fitting data
Course objectives
Upon completion of this course you will be able to judge which numerical algorithm or tool is right for any computational problem typically encountered in
astrophysics.
In specific, after this course, you will be able to:
Evaluate the outcomes of computational codes
Construct an efficient computer program
Solve a wide array of astrophysical problems
Timetable
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Exercise classes
Assessment method
Key assignments
Written exam
In addition to a written theory exam, there will be three coding exercise sets (roughly one every three lectures) that will count towards your final grade, under the condition that you achieved a passing grade on the exam. The exam will count for 50%, the three hand-in exercise sets collectively constitute the final 50%.
Reading list
- Numerical Recipes: The Art of Scientific Computing, Third Edition (W.H. Press, S.A. Teukolsky, W.T. Vetterling, B.P. Flannery), ISBN: 9780521880688 (optional)
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. M.P. (Marcel) van Daalen
Remarks
Soft skills
After completing this course you will be able to:
Work collaboratively on numerical problems
Program effectively
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.