Computational Science

What is computational science?

Computational science has elements of the three other kinds of science. Computational science relies heavily on mathematical logic like theoretical science. Computational science runs experiments like experimental science. Computational science models can vary one parameter at a time, to study individual effects. Computational science has elements of observational science in that its ultimate goal is a better description of the world around us.

How does computational science differ from theoretical science? Theoretical scientists often define their cases very narrowly. For example they might say, "If a cow were a sphere moving over a perfectly flat surface, it would behave this way." This gives a very exact solution to a very limited case. In computational science we acknowledge that cows and fields aren't all alike. We assume, or agree to use, an average value for cows and fields. This allows computational scientists to find an approximated solution to a real world case.

Computational science differs from experimental science and observational science in that it is a model of nature, not nature itself. If we know how nature behaves, we can use the computer to create models that can be used in place of experiments. Given some knowledge of how nuclear reactions occur, [electrons, nuclei how they interact with each other], the computational scientist can model the inside of a star. The computational scientist can also study the effects on the population of widespread use of tobacco, without ever forcing a cigarette to a person's lips.

When used in its proper place, computational science can be an effective tool for allowing us to better understand the world around us.

4. theoretical
3. experimental
2. observational
1. introduction

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