
- UCAS course code
- F904
- UCAS institution code
- M20
MEnvSci Environmental Science with Industrial Experience
Year of entry: 2021
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Course unit details:
The Natural Scientist's Toolkit
Unit code | EART11200 |
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Credit rating | 40 |
Unit level | Level 4 |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Offered by | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
In the Natural Scientists Toolkit you will increase your confidence in mathematics and physical sciences. There are three parts to the unit, covering: (1) maths and physics problem solving, to analyse real world problems like the burning of fossil fuels, and to learn to handle geological and environmental data; (2) chemistry of the earth and environment, addressing basic chemical concepts and how they apply to topics such as water chemistry and geological processes; (3) how to program a computer to solve problems in earth and environmental sciences. The Toolkit supplements the other first year lecture and practical units, and equips you with the skills you will need for 2nd year and beyond.
This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 20/21 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact. Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Understanding the Earth | EART11100 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Practical and Professional Skills Development | EART11300 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The aim of the Natural Scientist’s Toolkit is to increase your confidence in numerical problem solving and the use of the physical sciences to the study of earth and environmental sciences.
Learning outcomes
ILO 1 | 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
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ILO 2 | apply mathematical theory to break down and model / describe real-world example problems.
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ILO 3 |
use calculus to solve ordinary differential equations by separation of variables, and to arrive at approximate solutions using finite-difference. |
ILO 4 |
recognise and explain terms and symbols in partial differential equations that describe advection, diffusion, and to be able to find approximate solutions using finite difference |
ILO 5 | interpret the geochemical behaviour of elements based on their place in the Periodic Table |
ILO 6 | explain how radiogenic and stable isotopes are used to interpret the age of rocks and geochemical processes |
ILO 7 | show how chemical reactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere combine to form geochemical cycles. |
ILO 8 | explain how frequentist statistical thinking is applied in the context of hypothesis testing. |
ILO 9 | 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. |
ILO 10 | apply basic statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA, chi-squared tests, linear regression, logistic regression, mixed regression) to data. |
ILO 11 | apply modern computer programming concepts to deal with data, and model fundamental problems in science |
ILO 12 | Synthesise results, visualise data and critically evaluate different methods for solving real-world problems |
Syllabus
Semester 1
L1/P1 – Chemistry; L2/P2 Maths and Physics
Semester 2
L2/P2 Maths and Physics; L3/P3 Programming
Teaching and learning methods
Semester 1:
Each week there will be two 1-hour lectures and two 2-hour practicals. Lectures are recorded and made available as Podcasts through the University podcast service, with PowerPoint slides. Practical sessions include problem-solving exercises. 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 and end of semester (January) online assessment. For the chemistry module, there is a formative online test mid-semester, with the assessment consisting of an exam in January.
Semester 2:
In most weeks there will be two 1-hour lectures and two 2-hour practicals. All practicals will be held in computer clusters. For the first half of the semester, the maths and physics module will focus on working towards the final assessment for that section, which consists of a written report completed by week 6. In weeks 7-12, the data handling module section will be delivered through a 1-hour lecture and a 2-hour practical each week. Assessment consists of a test in week 12. 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.
Assessment methods
Assessment type | % Weighting within unit | Hand out and hand in dates | Length
| How, when and what feedback is provided | ILO tested |
Online Test (M&P) | 0 | Each week in semester 1 except week 6 – available for two weeks - 10 tests | 30 minutes | Automated feedback and feedback in class (formative assessment) | 1,2,12 |
Test (M&P) | 12.5 | Semester 1 Week 7 | 1.5 hours | Automated feedback and feedback in class | 1,2,12 |
Online Test (M&P) | 0 | Semester 1 Weeks 9-11 | Available all semester | Automated feedback (formative assessment) | 1,2,3,12 |
Online test (M&P) | 12.5 | Semester 1 Exam period (January) | 2 hours | Exam feedback session | 1,2,3,12 |
Online Test (Chem) | 0 | Semester 1 Week 6 | 1 hour | In class and on Blackboard (formative assessment) | 1 and 5 |
Online Test (Chem) | 25 | Semester 1 January exam period | 2 hours | Exam feedback session | 1, 5-7 |
Report (individual) (M&P) | 12.5 | Semester 2, weeks 1 handout- week 6 hand in | 4 page | Written feedback given | 1,2,3,4,12 |
Test (M&P) | 12.5 | Semester 2, Week 12 | 1 hour | Written feedback given | 8-11 |
Code submission (Programming) | 10 | Semester 2, week 12 | Submission of code to solve problem [check works] | Written feedback given | 11,12 |
Report Individual (Programming) | 15 | Semester 2, week 12 | Report associated with related code) | Written feedback given | 11,12 |
Recommended reading
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
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Lectures | 40 |
Practical classes & workshops | 86 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 274 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Ann Webb | Unit coordinator |
James Allan | Unit coordinator |
David Topping | Unit coordinator |
Robert Gilman | Unit coordinator |
Rhian Jones | Unit coordinator |
Mike Burton | Unit coordinator |