The Waterloo Computational Physics Club (WatCompPhys) is a student-led undergraduate community dedicated to modelling physical phenomena. Utilizing Python and numerical methods, we bridge the gap between theoretical physics and practical software development to investigate fascinating research questions.
Scientific Projects
We tackle complex physical problems by applying code to theory. Currently, we are modelling N-body systems and developing an algorithm to trap ions by dynamically varying the voltage distribution of the trap boundaries. Through participating, members gain real-world experience in teamwork and Github workflows, all while completing resume worthy, end-to-end technical projects.
Weekly Meetings & Community
You don't need to be on a project team to participate! We host weekly meetings open to any interested student, where we discuss ongoing projects, share learning resources, and explore new topics together.
Project Sign-Ups are Open! We are forming the sub-teams for our N-body simulation and trapped ion control projects. Be sure to attend next meeting for more details!
Topic: Introduction to new projects
Time: Thursdays at 3:00 pm
Location: PHY 313
Every project we do has work split among 3 divisions: Theory, Computation, and Outreach. These three divisions work on different critical aspects of the project, and actively collaborate to ensure everything runs smoothly. Explore our divisions below to see how you fit in.
Theory
Delving into the underlying physics, analytical methods, and mathematical frameworks that make up the foundation of our simulations.
Computation
Translating the physics into Python code, implementing numerical methods, and optimizing algothithms to run efficiently.
Outreach
Communicating our science to the world by creating engaging visuals and making resume worthy showcases of our final results.