Computational physics

'Computational physics' is a recently developed optional course involving practical work taken by physics undergraduates at the University of Birmingham. The course includes an introduction to numerical methods and their use in physics. Topics covered include the fast Fourier transform, nonlinear least-squares fitting, Monte Carlo methods applied to the Ising model, and the solution of the restricted three-body problem using a Runge-Kutta method. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on the value of graphical displays. The article is a description of the course.