Skip to main content
Module Search
A street in Durham, with old buildings and people walking down the street
 

GEOL2251: Modelling Earth Processes

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Type Open
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Earth Sciences

Prerequisites

  • A-level Mathematics at Grade B or above OR GEOL1061 Mathematical Methods in Geoscience OR a comparable maths module taught in another department, such as MATH1561 Single Mathematics A or MATH1071 Linear Algebra I
  • AND GEOL1151 Introductory Data Science for Geoscientists OR a comparable introductory programming module taught in another department, such as MATH1587 Programming I; COMP1051 Computational Thinking; OR PHYS1101 Discovery Skills In Physics.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To understand the importance and application of numerical and inverse modelling in geoscience, as tools for investigating Earth processes and for predicting the behaviour of Earth systems.

Content

  • Key concepts of numerical and inverse modelling.
  • Physical and chemical processes relevant to geoscience, to include examples from: heat flow, chemical reactions, groundwater flow, and wave propagation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Components of numerical and inverse models:
  • Principles behind modelling of a physical/chemical system;
  • Mathematical descriptions of physical and chemical processes;
  • How these components are incorporated into the software of a numerical or inverse model.
  • Will be able to critically evaluate models in terms of fit to data, uncertainties, resolution, uniqueness, and model or inversion instability.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Will be able to use high-level programming software effectively.
  • Will be able to plot and interpret model results in an organised and concise fashion.

Key Skills:

  • Communicate modelling approach, results and uncertainties effectively in written, verbal and graphical forms.
  • Evaluate the relationship between model predictions and observations.

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

  • Problem-based learning built around 20 x 3 hour weekly slots, most of them starting with a short introductory lecture. Each problem will build upon knowledge from a previous exercise, address a fundamental issue in modelling Earth processes and contain a mixture of guidance and feedback, practical IT-based activities and short lectures on specific technical details.
  • The students will be tested on their modeling skills with a mixture of short reports and in-class programming tests

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Practical20Weekly3 hours60Yes
Preparation and reading140 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous AssessmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Practical30
Practical40
Practical30

Formative Assessment

Additional formative assessment from homework assignments and regular discussions and reviews with peers and demonstrators during the practicals.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.