Quantitative Methods in Geoscience
The course is specifically designed to prepare students with the mathematical skills that are required to complete a successful degree in Geoscience.
Throughout the course, emphasis is on illustrating theoretical concepts with the use of applied examples from the geosciences. In addition to these examples in the lectures, student understanding and skills are further cemented through self study and class exercises. The course begins with a revision of preliminary concepts such as numbers, units, coordinate systems, and functions. It continuous to cover different types of functions such as quadratic functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, power functions and trigonometric functions. The final half of the course comprises an introduction to differentiation and integration and the use of matrices and differential equations in Geoscience.
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Course structure
Assessment
Knowledge assessment and examination are in the form of written examinations.
Grades will be set according to a seven-point scale related to the learning objectives of the course:
A = Excellent
B = Very good
C = Good
D = Satisfactory
E = Adequate
Fx = Fail, some additional work required
F = Fail, much additional work requiredThe grading criteria will be distributed at the beginning of the course.
In order to pass the course, students must receive the minimum passing grade E on all course units and participate in all mandatory instruction.Students who receive a failing grade on a regular examination are allowed to retake the examination as long as the course is still provided. The number of examination opportunities is not limited. Other mandatory course elements are equated with examinations. A student who has received a passing grade on an
examination may not retake the examination to attain a higher grade. A student who has failed the same examination twice is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons to the contrary. Such requests should be made to the department board. The course has at least two examination sessions per academic year the year of tuition given. Intermediate years are given at least one examination.There is no facility to improve the grade Fx to a pass grade in this course.
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Schedule
This is a preliminary schedule and is subject to continuous change. For this reason, we do not recommend print-outs. At the start of the course, your institution will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.Xin-She Yang, 2009
Introductory Mathematics for Earth Scientists
Dunedin Academic Press
ISBN: 9781903765920 -
Contact
Senior lecturer, Paleo ocean modelling
Agatha de Boer
agatha.deboer[at]geo.su.se
+46 (0)8 16 47 30 | Room: R238
