A Student's Guide to Python for Physical Modeling

by Jesse M. Kinder, Philip Nelson

A fully updated tutorial on the basics of the Python programming language for science students



Python is a computer programming language that has gained popularity throughout the sciences. This fully updated second edition of A Student's Guide to Python for Physical Modeling aims to help you, the student, teach yourself enough of the Python programming language to get started with physical modeling. You will learn how to install an open-source Python programming environment and use it to accomplish many common scientific computing tasks: importing, exporting, and visualizing data; numerical analysis; and simulation. No prior programming experience is assumed.

This guide introduces a wide range of useful tools, including:
Basic Python programming and scripting
Numerical arrays
Two- and three-dimensional graphics
Animation
Monte Carlo simulations
Numerical methods, including solving ordinary differential equations
Image processing

Numerous code samples and exercises--with solutions--illustrate new ideas as they are introduced. This guide also includes supplemental online resources: code samples, data sets, tutorials, and more. This edition includes new material on symbolic calculations with SymPy, an introduction to Python libraries for data science and machine learning (pandas and sklearn), and a primer on Python classes and object-oriented programming. A new appendix also introduces command line tools and version control with Git.

Genres: Physics, Programming, Nonfiction, Science

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2021

Reviews

[Matt Heavner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book but it didn't quite hit the mark. I would enjoy this as a freshman physics computation lab book.

I think it didn't quite get the depth / breadth / length combination optimized. Some of the "easy" things got too much time (the first couple of chapters were "too simple" - but maybe good for complete python newbies; the later chapters were a bit too brief). The "labs" / exercises were well designed and ran the reader through a good course.

I debated 2 or 3 stars, but for me - just two.

[Ethan Shu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content itself is pretty good but be cautious: the book would be too easy if you have any programming experience, even just MATLAB. This doesn't not mean it's not a good book to pick up, it simply means it's JUST an introduction to Python. You feel like you didn't get enough hard programming skills when you finish the whole book. I don't recommend this book as a self-study book for anyone. Any serious learner has to get another book after this little book. I would say a Coursera / Udacity / Edx course might be better.

[Dileep N · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle introduction to Python for students of Science and Math. It got me started on my Python journey. It certainly helps if you've already been exposed to programming before as this book focuses on showing you how to use Python for physical modeling and not on teaching you the language from the ground up. It's also too shallow to be a standalone Python guide or reference but it serves as an effective entry point into the fun world of Python.

[Enrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro for scientists

A nice no nonsense introduction to scientific computing aspects in python. It introduces concepts and techniques around clear and engaging examples that help you get up and running using python for modeling.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done! Would be great as a sophomore/junior intro to computational science programming. This is not for more experienced programmers. But it is great for intermediate level programmers who want to venture into math/science programming.

[Alberto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak sauce