Earth Modelling and Prediction (U04033)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : GEO-1-PREDICT

This course uses topical issues in the Geosciences to understand and develop the essential mathematical skills required by modern geoscientists. The emphasis will be on data collection, analysis and interpretation, including an appreciation of the importance of errors of observation and the use of quantitative data in the prediction of future changes in the earth system.

The course content will be taught through accessible applied worked problems (e.g., growth rate of ice sheets, balancing the carbon cycle), which are carefully designed to introduce key scientific notation and concepts that are used repeatedly through this course and more widely through the GeoSciences degree programmes.

Weekly tutorials (groups of 3-4) and guest lectures will reinforce the key concepts taught each week. The course will be examined through continual assessment.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : None.

? Co-requisites : None.

? Prohibited combinations : Any other maths course. Students with a C or above at A-level or Highers maths or physics are prohibited from taking this course.

? Costs : None.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Geosciences, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Other subject areas

Environmental Courses, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) 30 minutes per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
22/09/2008	14:00	14:50	Lecture Theatre 1, Dan Rutherford Building	KB

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	14:00	14:50	KB
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	14:50	KB

1 of the following 2 classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Tutorial	Th	09:00	09:50	KB
Tutorial	Th	10:00	10:50	KB

1 of the following 2 classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Tutorial	Fr	09:00	09:50	KB
Tutorial	Fr	10:00	10:50	KB

? Additional Class Information : 2 x 1 hour lectures each week, plus 1 x 1.5 hour tutorial.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The overarching outcome will be an appreciation of quantitative methods that can be confidently applied to problems in GeoSciences. Through extensive worked problems the student will develop a sounds understanding of:

1. Scientific notation and nomenclature (e.g., significant figures)
2. How to manipulate equations
3. How to use calculators to evaluate equations (e.g., using exponent vs exponential)
4. Guesstimation and knowing when to use it
5. Trigonometry
6. Logarithms
7. Scalars and vectors
8. Basic calculus (differentation and integration), e.g., to calculate rates of change or calculate the area under a curve
9. Basic probability and statistics, e.g., mean and variance
10. Errors and uncertainty of measured or predicted values
11. Areas and volumes
12. How to approximate observed data using lines and curves