Introduction to Scientific Computing

This is an introduction course to the first year undergraduates taught at Fudan University.

  • Course: Road to Scientific Research: Powerful Computer Applications
  • Course No.: XDSY118019.01
  • Lecturers: Prof. Yi-Xin Liu
  • Schedule: 18:30 - 21:05, Thursday
  • Classroom: H2215

Week 1 (2026.09.10 Thur): Introduction

  • Topics
    • Introduction to the syllabus
    • Setup VS Code, Python, and Jupyter Notebook

Week 2 (2026.09.17 Thur): Python Basics Part 1

  • Materials
  • Topics
    • What is programming?
    • How to learn programming
    • Why Python?
    • Keyword, literals, variables, operators, control flow

Week 3 (2026.09.24 Thur): Python Basics Part 2

  • Materials
  • Topics
    • Data structures, function, class, module
    • Coding sessions

Week 4 (2026.10.08 Thur): Scientific Computing in Python

Week 5 (2026.10.15 Thur): Introduction to Deep Learning

Week 6 (2026.10.22 Thur): Matlab and Mathematica

Week 7 (2026.10.29 Thur): Plotting and Data Visualization

Week 8 (2026.11.05 Thur): Code and Document Management

Week 9 (2026.11.12 Thur): Documenting Tools

Week 10 (2025.11.19 Thur)

  • Take-home project.

Week 11 (2025.11.26 Thur): Final Exam

TBA

- Deep learning videos: [3Blue1Brown neural networks series](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZHQObOWTQDNU6R1_67000Dx_ZCJB-3pi) - PyTorch videos: [PyTorch beginner series](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_lsbAsL_o2CTlGHgMxNrKhzP97BaG9ZN)

- Matlab script: [Rendering volume](scripts/visual3d_lyx.m)