Undergraduate Course: Geophysical Inverse Theory (EASC09038)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Geosciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
10 |
| Home subject area |
Earth Science |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
| Course description |
The course includes three modules on computing skills - the UNIX operating system, FORTRAN95 programming language and the GMT graphics package.
UNIX. UNIX is a command line operating language, i.e. it consists of a series of instructions typed into a computer, rather than a 'point & click' system, and is commonly used in scientific computing. The module covers basic understanding and use of UNIX and UNIX scripts.
FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) is a popular scientific programming language. It allows processing, modelling and analysis of data, and numerical simulations. The course covers what a structured programming language is, construction of a FORTRAN program, types of variables, arrays, loops and related constructs, subroutines, functions, input and output, libraries and library functions; writing, checking and debugging, and running simple programmes.
COMPUTER GRAPHICS. This module provides a practical introduction to the Generic Mapping Tool (GMT) package, a data processing and plotting package. GMT was designed for Earth Science applications and is very widely used by academica, national and international agencies, and for publishing. It operates using command line instructions, mostly usefully combined and run using UNIX scripts.
The remainder of the course introduces GEOPHYSICAL INVERSE THEORY. |
Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Introduction to Geophysics (EASC08008)
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 12:10 - 13:00 | | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | | 12:10 - 13:00 |
| First Class |
Week 1, Tuesday, 12:10 - 13:00, Zone: King's Buildings. JCMB 6201 |
| Additional information |
Tue 1210 - 1200 (wks 1-11)
Fri 1210-1300 (wks 1-3); Fri 1000-1050 (wks 4-11) |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
Stationery Requirements |
Comments |
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 1:30 | 12 sides/ graph | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will be introduced to Geophysical Inverse Theory and develop an integrated understanding of the essential aspects of parameter estimation:
&· A critical understanding of the distinctions between forward and inverse problems, linear and non-linear problems, and the relationships between data and model parameters
&· Formulate and solve least square problems
&· Understand how data uncertainties translate into uncertainties in model parameters; they will also know how and why to weight data by their uncertainties
&· Have a critical understanding of why damping is often a good strategy, know how to do a damped inversion, and be able to explain the effect of damping on model parameter uncertainties and resolution
&· Understand the eigenvector $ú eigenvalue decomposition of an inverse problem, and know how the eigenvalue spectrum can be used to help choose an appropriate amount of damping to apply
&· Know how to treat linearisable problems by an iterative inversion scheme. Through problem sheets, laboratory classes, tutorials and assessment
&· Formulating, solving and interpreting algebraic and numerical, computer based problems
&· Making formal and informal presentations on the main aspects of parameter estimation
&· Applying effectively this knowledge gained to new scenarios |
Assessment Information
| 1.5 hour written exam plus continuous assessment |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords |
Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Prof Kathy Whaler
Tel: (0131 6)50 4904
Email: Kathy.Whaler@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Miss Emma Latto
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: emma.latto@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
31 January 2011 7:32 am
|
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