Course on Numerical Modelling of Plasmas
Online course of 300 h in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas. 6 modules covering ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in fluid dynamics and heat transfer), ANSI/ANS-10.4 (V&V of nuclear scientific software) and WarpX. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Distinguish between kinetic, gyrokinetic, fluid and MHD descriptions of plasma.
Implement a basic particle-in-cell scheme and analyse its numerical stability.
Apply continuum kinetic methods to simple phase-space problems.
Solve fluid and MHD models with finite volume methods.
Verify codes using manufactured solutions and convergence studies.
Run parallel simulations and evaluate their scalability on HPC.
Develop a plasma simulation project with analysis of results.
Who it's for
- Computational plasma physicist looking to specialise in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas.
- HPC simulation engineer looking to specialise in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas.
- Magnetic fusion researcher looking to specialise in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas.
- Scientific code developer looking to specialise in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas.
- Verification and validation analyst looking to specialise in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas.
- Space and plasma physics researcher looking to specialise in Numerical Modelling of Plasmas.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into fusion research.
What you'll work with
- ASME V&V 20 (verification and validation in fluid dynamics and heat transfer)
- ANSI/ANS-10.4 (V&V of nuclear scientific software)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207 (software life cycle processes)
- IEEE 754 (floating-point arithmetic)
- ASME NQA-1, Subpart 2.7 (software quality)
- ISO/IEC 25010 (software product quality)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Debye length and plasma frequency1.2The Vlasov and Boltzmann equations1.3Model hierarchy: kinetic, fluid and MHD1.4Maxwell's equations in plasmas1.5Charged particle motion and drifts1.6Collisions and the Fokker-Planck operator1.7Time and length scales1.8Normalisation of the equations1.9Fusion, space and industrial plasmas1.10Practice: Boris integrator for a single particle
2.1The PIC algorithm: deposition, field solve and push2.2Shape functions and numerical noise2.3Stability and numerical heating2.4Electrostatic PIC in 1D2.5Electromagnetic PIC and the Yee scheme2.6Monte Carlo collisions (PIC-MCC)2.7The WarpX, EPOCH and Smilei codes2.8Parallelisation and GPUs2.9Simulation diagnostics2.10Lab: two-stream instability with 1D PIC
3.1Grid-based Vlasov discretisation3.2Semi-Lagrangian methods3.3Operator splitting3.4Phase-space filamentation3.5Gyrokinetics and dimensional reduction3.6The GENE, GYRO and GKW codes3.7Spectral methods3.8Conservation properties of the scheme3.9Computational cost in 5D and 6D3.10Workshop: Landau damping with semi-Lagrangian Vlasov
4.1Ideal and Resistive MHD Equations 4.2 Finite Volumes and the Hall Effect 4.5 Alfvén and Magnetosonic Waves 4.6 Magnetic Reconnection 4.7 Implicit Schemes 4.10 Lab: The Brio and Wu Shock Tube
5.1Standard tests and analytical solutions5.2Convergence and numerical error5.3Validation against tokamak experiments5.4Reduced models and machine learning5.5Performance and scalability5.6Simulation data management5.7Visualisation with VisIt and ParaView5.8Reproducibility and version control5.9Uncertainty quantification5.10Case study: convergence study of a PIC code
6.1Selecting the physical phenomenon6.2Choosing the numerical model6.3Implementing or configuring the code6.4Verification against a reference case6.5Production simulation6.6Analysis of the physical results6.7Numerical sensitivity study6.8Discussion and conclusions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake period, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The software used is WarpX, EPOCH, BOUT++, Gkeyll, ParaView, in free, academic or trial versions. Testing is studied through real procedures from plasma benchmark test cases, simulations on computing clusters, numerical convergence studies. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus a final capstone project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Distinguish between kinetic, gyrokinetic, fluid and MHD descriptions of plasma.
Implement a basic particle-in-cell scheme and analyse its numerical stability.
Apply continuum kinetic methods to simple phase-space problems.
Solve fluid and MHD models with finite volume methods.
Verify codes using manufactured solutions and convergence studies.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- A level of English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with WarpX, EPOCH, BOUT++, Gkeyll, ParaView. Free, academic or trial versions are used, and your tutor will point out a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the capstone project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state-accredited degree.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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