Unit information: Independent Development of Environmental Geoscience Skills I in 2011/12

Unit name	Independent Development of Environmental Geoscience Skills I
Unit code	EASC20030
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Siddall
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Successful completion of year 1 of the Environmental Geoscience degree programme curriculum
Co-requisites	n/a
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Using a programming language for data analysis and calculations allows scientists to achieve results well in advance of those attainable using spreadsheet software. Computer programming is therefore a core skill for earth scientists. Programming is a highly transferable technical skill applicable across much of the professional and academic job market. This unit will aim to equip the student with generic programming skills in both data analysis and scientific calculations (modelling) against the framework of the MatLab programming language. MatLab is a common research and industry standard with a broad functionality for many applications.

Aims:

The unit aims to introduce students to computer programming and act as an introduction to data analysis and computer modelling techniques. The unit will aim to teach students the MatLab programming language, which is a common research and industry standard with a broad functionality for many scientific applications.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of generic programming techniques

• Ability to use data processing techniques such as filtering and spectral analysis

• Experience in elementary computer modelling

• Ability to program using MatLab

Teaching Information

Practicals

Assessment Information

• 2 x coursework at the end of each semester (60% of unit marks)

• 2 hour exam at the end of the year (40% of unit marks)

Reading and References

There is no formal text book or required reading for this unit.