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GEOL1061: MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN GEOSCIENCES

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Type	Tied
Level	1
Credits	20
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Earth Sciences

Prerequisites

NOT available to students who have passed Mathematics A level at grade B or above, or who have a comparable qualification in Mathematics.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

NOT available to students who have passed Mathematics A level at grade B or above, or who have a comparable qualification in Mathematics.

Aims

To ensure that students on degree programmes in geosciences have an adequate background in mathematics and can apply their mathematical knowledge to the solution of problems in geosciences.

Content

Manipulation and solution of algebraic equations that relate geological variables.
Applications of trigonometry to geological problems.
Vectors.
Sketching graphs of simple functions.
Differentiation and integration of elementary functions of a single variable with geological applications.
Plotting data.
Basic statistical concepts: sampling, variance, random and systematic errors.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Students should be able to tackle applications of mathematics in the geosciences involving algebra, trigonometry, basic differential and integral calculus, plotting data, sampling and estimation of errors.

Subject-specific Skills:

Key Skills:

Solve numerical problems using computer or non-computer techniques.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

The module is delivered through lectures.
Summative assessment is 100% based on a 2-hour written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total	Monitored
Lectures/labs	20	1 per week	3 Hour	60	Yes
Preparation and Reading				140
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Unseen written examination	2 hours	100

Formative Assessment

Class tests 45 minutes each.

More information

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