Measurement Techniques in Geophysics (U02090)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 9 ? Acronym : GEO-3-GLE

Modules will include:

Introduction to Measurement Techniques;
Rock Physics I - Density;
Rock Physics II - the thermal diffusivity of a rock core; Rock Physics III - seismic velocities.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Introduction to Geophysics, Mathematical Methods 4, Applicable Mathematics 4, Physics 2A: Forces, Fields & Potentials. Other students may be admitted at the discretion of the Course Organiser. Some additinal reading may be specified for such students.

? Co-requisites : U01790 Computational Methods, or basic knowledge of FORTRAN programming and UNIX.

? Costs : None

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Earth Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 4 weeks

? Additional Class Information : There will be laboratory work in unscheduled hours.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should
- develop skills relating to analysing observational data including examples of statistical and numerical methods, graphical interpretation and computing modelling.
- gain experience and understanding of the design and process of physical measurement in a geophysical context.
- see metrological frontiers in one or two specialised case-studies and so improve their understanding of general measurement-design principles.
- be able to relate laboratory rock properties to bulk quantities met in regional geophysics.
- relate important but otherwise abstract components of classical physics to the Earth.
- be able to appreciate the principles of modern satellite-based observing platforms.
- improve their ability to write proper scientific reports and extended abstracts, as well as deriving and collating information from the web and other literature.

Assessment Information

The student prepares five written 'Scientific Reports' - four on laboratory work and one based on a literature review. Some or all of these reports will be the basis of the course assessment. There will be no written examinations.