This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Archived Versions

Introduction to Modeling and Simulation

As taught in: Spring 2008

A graph showing simulation techniques as number of particles, lengths, and times increases from ~100-10^23, angstroms to meters, and picoseconds to seconds, respectively.

Systems at different time and length scales are modeled using different simulation techniques, derived from the appropriate governing equations. (Image courtesy of Elsevier, Inc., Science Direct. Used with permission.)

Instructors:

Prof. Markus Buehler

Dr. Timo Thonhauser

Prof. Raúl Radovitzky

MIT Course Number:

3.021J / 1.021J / 10.333J / 18.361J / 22.00J

Level:

Undergraduate

Course Description

This course explores the basic concepts of computer modeling and simulation in science and engineering. We'll use techniques and software for simulation, data analysis and visualization. Continuum, mesoscale, atomistic and quantum methods are used to study fundamental and applied problems in physics, chemistry, materials science, mechanics, engineering, and biology. Examples drawn from the disciplines above are used to understand or characterize complex structures and materials, and complement experimental observations.