I am a major in computer
science. I have always had an interest in the way things work and like to hear about new
technologies that will change our world. Physics provides an outlet for both of these
interests. Research based physics brings us new materials, tells us how things work, and
gives us new ideas. Applied physics takes these results and puts them to use in new and
innovative products. Computers are major players in both of these fields.
In research computers help scientists construct virtual models of physical system giving them answers to questions about the way things work and allowing them to predict what will happen next. The applied physicists and engineers use computers to tell them how systems will behave and to help them solve problems quickly and accurately.
Computers have the ability to do many complex problems that scientists could never do by hand. Even the best mathematician can only solve a problem within a very confined closed system. Any outside interference with the system causes so many extra parameters that the mathematician could never solve the problem within his lifetime. Computers, while still limited by the amount of parameters that they can handle, are pushing the edges of our problem solving abilities.
By programming computers to calculate the value of a simple math problem once, we can put different values in the program and have it calculate much harder problems later. We can then string together many different programs so that the output for one is the input for another, thereby merging them together to form a new program that will solve new and different problems. We build programs on top of programs thus creating a problem solving database. This makes it possible for the computer to calculate much harder equations than a human ever could.
Because human thought is based on
our senses, mostly on the sense sight, we find it very hard to link equations to real life
objects. With computers we are overcoming this problem. We allow the computer to make many
complex calculations and then have it show us a 3-dimensional image of the calculations.
We can then take the images and rotate them, enhance them, and manipulate them in just
about any way that we want in order to squeeze all the information we can out of the
image. This is the part of computer science that fascinates me the most. The fact that we
can make a moving 3-dimensional image out of a bunch of zeros and ones is almost too much
to believe.
Computers are changing and have changed our lives. The innovations made possible by these machines fascinate me and I want to be a part of it. This is why I have a deep love for physics and computer science.
I am the Web Coordinator for the School of Humanities and Sciences.
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E-mail me (ericksjo@slcc.edu).
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