This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module GEOL1081: Further Mathematics in Geosciences

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL1081: Further Mathematics in Geosciences

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	1	20	Available in 2010/2011	None.	Durham

Tied To

F600, F630, F642, F662, F641, Natural Science students: (programme not found)

Pre-requisites

Mathematics AS level at grade B or above, or a comparable qualification in Mathematics.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

NOT available to students who are taking any Level 1 module in Mathematics.

Aims

To ensure that Level 1 students on degree programmes in Earth Sciences, and especially Geophysics, have an adequate background in mathematics and can apply their mathematical knowledge to the solution of problems in geosciences.

Content

Differential and integral calculus;
Linear differential equations of first and second order;
Elementary partial differential equations;
Vector products;
Line, surface and volume integrals;
Spherical polar coordinates;
Taylor’s series and Maclaurin’s series;
Fourier series;
Matrices.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Students should acquire ability in the basic mathematical techniques required for to tackle applications of mathematics taught on degree programmes in Earth Sciences at Levels 2 and 3.

Subject-specific Skills

These applications involve differention and integration, solution of differential equations, manipulation of vectors, transformation between Cartesian and spherical polar coordinates, solution of simultaneous equations, and spectral analysis.

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 a mix of lectures and tutorials. Weekly problems are set for the students to hand in for formative assessment, and the tutorials are allocated to dealing with students’ difficulties in tackling the problems. Summative assessment comprises class tests (40% of module mark) and a 2-hour written examination (60% of module mark).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
Lectures	40	2 per week	1 hour	40
Tutorials	21	weekly	1 hour	21
Preparation and Reading				139
Total				200
				0

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	60%	Unseen written examination	2 hours	100%
Continual Assessments	40%	Class tests		100%

Formative Assessment

Weekly problems.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.