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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2025-07-06 14:47 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2025 Meeting
Section: Physics Education
Title:
Teaching Programming through Computational Physics in an Interdisciplinary STEM Course
Authors:
Bogdan CHIRIACESCU (1), Fabiola CHIRIACESCU (1), Cristina MIRON (2), Catalin BERLIC (2), Valentin BARNA (2)
Affiliation:
1) „Nicolae Iorga” High School, Nehoiu, Jud. Buzau
2) University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, 405 Atomistilor Street, 077125, Magurele, Romania
E-mail
b.chiriacescu@gmail.com
Keywords:
physics education, computational physics, STEM, Python, classical mechanics
Abstract:
This study presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary STEM course that leverages computational physics to teach fundamental programming concepts. Recognizing that traditional programming instruction can lack immediate real-world context, we developed a curriculum in which students learn Python by simulating classical mechanics problems—such as projectile motion, harmonic oscillators, and gravitational interactions. The course is organized into modules, each combining a short theoretical overview of a physics topic, step-by-step coding tutorials, hands-on laboratory sessions, and reflective discussions that connect computational outcomes to physical phenomena. Through scaffolded assignments, students will progressively build comfort with variables, control structures, functions, and data visualization libraries. To assess learning outcomes, we intend to administer pre- and post-course surveys measuring self-efficacy in programming and physics, analyzed code submissions for adherence to best practices, and evaluated conceptual understanding via problem-solving exams.
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