BSc Earth and Planetary Sciences

The aim of the Natural Scientists Toolkit is to increase your confidence in numerical problem solving, digital tools and the use of the physical sciences in the study of earth and environmental sciences.  

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:  

ILO1 - practice the application of key concepts in maths, physics and chemistry, including manipulating logarithms, rearranging equations, algebra, statistics, basic calculus, geometry, and atomic and molecular structure.

ILO2 - apply mathematical theory to describe real-world example problems. 

ILO3 - use calculus to solve ordinary and partial differential equations by separation of variables, and to arrive at approximate solutions using finite-difference. 

ILO4 - interpret the geochemical behaviour of elements based on their place in the Periodic Table. 

ILO5 - explain how radiogenic and stable isotopes are used to interpret the age of rocks and geochemical processes.

ILO6 - show how chemical reactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere combine to form geochemical cycles. 

ILO7 - explain how frequentist statistical thinking is applied in the context of hypothesis testing. 

ILO8 - identify predictor and response variables and major data types (categorical and numerical, including continuous, discrete and binary), and with access to references select appropriate statistical tests for analysing each type of data. 

ILO9 - apply basic statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA, chi-squared tests, linear regression, logistic regression, mixed regression) to data. 

ILO10 - apply modern computer programming concepts to deal with data, and model fundamental problems in science.

ILO11 - Synthesise results, visualise data and critically evaluate different methods for solving real-world problems.

SEMESTER 1

Maths and Physics: Basics

• Week 6: M&P (Basics) Summative online test

Maths and Physics: Statistics

Chemistry of the Earth

• Week 6: Chemistry Formative online test

SEMESTER 2

Maths and Physics: Calculus

Computer Programming

Semester 1:

Each week there will be two 1-hour lectures and two 2-hour practicals. Lectures are either recorded and made available on Canvas as videos, and/or podcasts of lectures are provided. Powerpoint slides of each lecture are also made available on Canvas. Practical sessions include problem-solving exercises, and the second part of the semester will be held in a computer cluster. Formative assessments will be provided, and feedback on these assessments will be available to the students after completion. For the maths and physics module, assessment comprises of an online mid-semester assessment (Basics) and end of semester (January) exam (Statistics). For the chemistry module, there is a formative online test mid-semester, with the summative assessment consisting of an exam in January.

Semester 2:

In most weeks there will be two 1-hour lectures and two 2-hour practicals. Lectures are either recorded and made available on Canvas as videos, and/or podcasts of lectures are provided. Powerpoint slides of each lecture are also made available on Canvas. For the Maths & Physics module (Calculus), summative assessment consists of an exam in the end-of-semester exam period. The programming module will be delivered through a 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour practical in weeks 1-10, followed by just the 2-hour practical in weeks 10-12 where students can work on their chosen assignment. On that, we will provide continuous formative assessments before a combined programming exercise and written report is submitted at the end of semester, based on examples from weeks 4-8. 

Foundation Maths, Anthony Croft and Robert Davison, Pearson / Prentice Hall, Fourth Edition. 

Engineering Mathematics  K.A. Stroud and Dexter J. Booth 

Conceptual Integrated Science, Hewitt, Lyons, Suchocki and Yeh, Pearson / Prentice Hall. 

Consider a spherical cow: A course in environmental problem solving, John Harte. University science books, 1988. 

Engineering Mathematics Paperback by K. a Stroud, Palgrave Macmillan; 4th ed edition (1995) 

Geochemistry. White, W. W. (2013) Wiley-Blackwell, p. 668 

Introduction to geochemistry: principles and application. Misra K. C. (2012) Wiley-Blackwell, p 452 

Geochemistry: Pathways and Processes, McSween H. Y. and Richardson S. M. (2003) Columbia University Press, 2nd Edition, p 432. 

Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming. No Starch Press