This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)
Module GEOL2251: Modelling Earth Processes
Department: Earth Sciences
GEOL2251: Modelling Earth Processes
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 2 | 20 | Available in 2012/2013 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Pass at Level 1 Mathematical Methods in Geosciences (GEOL1061) on pass at AS Level in Mathematics grade B or above, or the equivalent at Scottish Highers.
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- GEOL2171
Aims
- To understand the importance and application of numerical modelling in geoscience, as a tool for investigating Earth processes and for predicting the behaviour of Earth systems.
Content
- Key concepts of numerical 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
- Will understand the components of numerical models:
- principles behind modelling of a physical/chemical system;
- the mathematical descriptions of physical & chemical processes, and;
- how these components are incorporated into the software of a numerical model.
- Will be able to critically evaluate modelling uncertainties, e.g. the effects of changing parameters and boundary conditions (inputs) on the model predictions (outputs) and how to map these values to observations or measurements
Subject-specific Skills
- Will be able to operate MATLAB software effectively.
- Will be able to plot and interpret model results in an organised and concise fashion.
Key Skills
- Communicate modelling approach and results effectively in written, verbal and graphical forms.
- Evaluate how the model predictions map to observations.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Problem-based learning built around 19 x 3 hour weekly slots, most of them starting with a short introductory lecture. There will be 4 problems, each of ~5 weeks duration. Students will work in pairs for each problem. 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
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical | 19 | Weekly | 3 hours | 57 | Yes |
| Preparation and reading | 143 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% | Practical Assignment 1 | 10% | ||
| Practical Assignment 2 | 30% | ||||
| Practical Assignment 3 | 30% | ||||
| Practical Assignment 4 - Test | 30% |
Formative Assessment
Homework assignments; in-class programming tests; regular discussion and review sessions within the groups and then at the end of each problem between all the groups.
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.