Undergraduate Course: Geophysical Inverse Theory (EASC09038)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences | 
College | College of Science and Engineering | 
 
| Course type | Standard | 
Availability | Available to all students | 
 
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) | 
Credits | 10 | 
 
| Home subject area | Earth Science | 
Other subject area | None | 
   
| Course website | 
None | 
Taught in Gaelic? | No | 
 
| Course description | L1	Definition of the forward and inverse problem; how to specify models; continuous functions and parameterised models; examples of pairs of observables and physical properties on which they depend 
L2-3	Over-constrained and underdetermined models; the least squares method 
L4-5	The covariance matrix, errors and correlations 
L6-7	Eigenvectors and eigenvalues; model resolution; fit to the data and information density matrix 
L8-9	Damping; smoothing and the trade-off curve 
L10-13	Examples 
L14-15	Linearised methods and iteration 
 
Computer Practicals  
Least squares analysis of the Hawaiian-Emperor Chain age-distance data 
Residual static shifts for land seismic surveying (including group working and presentation) 
 
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Information for Visiting Students 
| Pre-requisites | Equivalent to University of Edinburgh Pre-requisites.  Contact course secretary. | 
 
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes | 
 
 
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15  Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) 
  
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Learn enabled:  Yes | 
Quota:  None | 
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Web Timetable  | 
	
Web Timetable | 
	| Class Delivery Information | 
	Tue 1210 - 1300 (wks 1-11) 
Fri 1210 - 1300 (wks 1-11) 
 
Computer Practicals TBA | 
 
 
| Course Start Date | 
12/01/2015 | 
 
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) | 
 
 Total Hours:
100
(
 Lecture Hours 15,
 Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4,
 Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 11,
 Feedback/Feedforward Hours 4,
 Summative Assessment Hours 2,
 Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
62 )
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| Additional Notes | 
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) | 
 
  Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Exam Information | 
 
    | Exam Diet | 
    Paper Name | 
    Hours & Minutes | 
    
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) |  | 1:30 |  |  
 
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes 
Students will be introduced to Geophysical Inverse Theory and develop an integrated understanding of the essential aspects of parameter estimation: 
-	A critical understanding of the distinctions between forward and inverse problems, linear and non-linear problems, and the relationships between data and model parameters 
-	Formulate and solve least square problems  
-	Understand how data uncertainties translate into uncertainties in model parameters; they will also know how and why to weight data by their uncertainties 
-	Have a critical understanding  of why damping is often a good strategy, know how to do a damped inversion, and be able to explain the effect of damping on model parameter uncertainties and resolution 
-	Understand the eigenvector ¿ eigenvalue  decomposition of an inverse problem, and know how the eigenvalue spectrum can be used to help choose an appropriate amount of damping to apply 
-	Know how to treat linearisable problems by an iterative inversion scheme.  Through problem sheets, laboratory classes, tutorials and assessment  
-	Formulating, solving and interpreting  algebraic and numerical, computer based problems 
-	Making formal and informal presentations on the main aspects of parameter estimation 
-	Applying effectively this knowledge gained to new scenarios | 
 
 
Assessment Information 
30% Practical (Hawaiian-Emperor Chain Practical 20%, Residual Statistics 10%) 
 
70% 1.5 hour written exam |  
 
Special Arrangements 
| None |   
 
Additional Information 
| Academic description | 
Not entered | 
 
| Syllabus | 
Not entered | 
 
| Transferable skills | 
Not entered | 
 
| Reading list | 
Not entered | 
 
| Study Abroad | 
Not entered | 
 
| Study Pattern | 
Not entered | 
 
| Keywords | Geophysical_Inverse-Theory | 
 
 
Contacts 
| Course organiser | Prof Kathy Whaler 
Tel: (0131 6)50 4904 
Email:  | 
Course secretary | Mrs Katie Leith 
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510 
Email:  | 
   
 
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© Copyright 2014 The University of Edinburgh -  13 February 2014 1:08 pm 
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