Unit name | Principles of Numerical Analysis and Research Software Development |
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Unit code | AENGM0071 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Macquart |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Prior knowledge of linear algebra and partial differential equations. |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The unit will introduce students to programming concepts and how best to apply them to the successful analysis of composites with a research focus. It assumes no prior experience of computer programming as this unit is aimed at students from a variety of backgrounds. Programming skills will be developed through completing a wide range of exercises covering commonly encountered numerical analysis techniques. The project culminates with the application of several analysis techniques to understand the behaviour of composite structures. Here, they are required to report on the advantages/limitations of these approaches. Throughout the course the students will be exposed to “best practice” regarding software development and the use of high-performance computing and research data storage. Validation and critical evaluation of their own code, and evaluation of their peer’s coding, is built into the assessment format to highlight its importance.
The unit will comprise of self-paced learning working through a series of well-documented examples. These will be supported by seminar type sessions where key aspects of the numerical techniques are discussed. Students will be directed towards online tutorials and documentation in order to support the development of self-study skills. As part of their preparations for conducting research the students will attend seminar sessions covering version control, the use of HPC facilities, and managing their data storage.
Aims
1) Upon completion students will have a good understanding of the fundamentals of programming demonstrated through practical examples, as well as their ability to develop codes collaboratively as part of a self-organised small group.
This will be achieved through understanding of and implementation of several coding task covering the following:
2) Upon completion students will have reviewed the basis of good engineering report writing, with application using LaTeX and Overleaf, i.e. how to build the report from a blank page, including content, structure, formatting of tables, and figures, amongst others.
3) Upon completion students will be able to apply a vast range of numerical analysis methods in order to reformulate and solve analytical problems, numerically. Said methods includes:
4) The student will be able to analyse simple composite structures using several different numerical techniques. Provide justification for the numerical techniques used to highlight the limitations/advantages of each approaches. In doing so students will need to appraise the underlying mathematics. They will gain knowledge of how to present critical analysis in a collaborative manner. To aid in completing these broader goals the students will consider the following topics:
Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to
This unit will comprise of 8-10 hours lectures.
100% Coursework