Computational Practicum

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to computational techniques essential for chemical engineering at the Master's level. It spans two quarters, blending foundational concepts with advanced methodologies. This course equips students with critical computational skills, enhancing their problem-solving capabilities in chemical engineering applications.

Preliminary lecture schedule:
Lectures in Quarter 1 (Q1)

Lecture 1: Intro to course; Basic programming
Lecture 2: Refresh calculus, nonlinear equations
Lecture 3: Refresh linear algebra, (non-)linear systems of equations
Lecture 4: Numerical integration and differentiation
Lecture 5: Initial value problems (IVP)
Lecture 6: Boundary value problems (BVP) I
Lecture 7: Boundary value problems (BVP) II

Lectures in Quarter 2 (Q2)

Lecture 1: Advanced programming
Lecture 2: Partial differential equations (PDEs) I
Lecture 3: Partial differential equations (PDEs) II
Lecture 4: Unconstraint optimization
Lecture 5: Advanced optimization
Lecture 6: Regression, interpolation, and least square method
Lecture 7: Large language models

There will be a computer exam at the end of Q1 and a second computer exam at the end of Q2. The exams will contain a theory and a programming part. The computer exams are graded.

Purpose of the exam?
It is a summative assessment. A summative assesment is graded. The goal is to evaluate student learning at the end of the course by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Information from summative assessments can be used formatively when students or teacher use it to guide their efforts and activities in subsequent courses.

If you fail the computer exam in Q1, you can still continue the course in Q2 and do a re-take of the computer exam later (see Section Re-take below).

The assignments are not graded. However, assignments must be submitted as a prerequisite for the exam participation. Details will be announced in the first lecture. Note that formative feedback on the assignments will be given during the tutorials (through the TAs and instructors). No formative feedback will be given after the submission of the assignments.

Overall grade and information about passing:
In order to pass the course, you need to pass the computer exam in Q1 and the computer exam in Q2 individually. It is not sufficient that the average grade is a passing grade. In the end, the grades of Q1 and Q2 will be averaged to form the final grade of the course (together this gives 6 ECTS).

Re-take:
If you fail the computer exam in Q1, you can retake the computer exam in Q2 or one year later in Q1. If you fail the computer exam in Q2, you can retake it in Q3 or one year later in Q2.