Undergraduate Course: Geomagnetism (EASC10036)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course covers 4 topics:
1. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the geomagnetic field.
2. Theories of the origin of the geomagnetic field.
3. The solar atmosphere and the solar wind.
4. Applications of geomagnetism.
|
| Course description |
Lecture 1: Introduction, sources of magnetic data.
Lecture 2: Potential representation, spherical harmonics.
Lecture 3: Internal/external fields, spherical harmonic analysis, IGRF/DGRF, geocentric dipole.
Lecture 4: Non-dipole field, source spectrum and characteristics, Risk to technology.
Lecture 5: Introduction to time variations of internal field and sources of data, Observatory records, secular variation.
Lecture 6: Magnetic properties of rocks, paleomagnetism, archaeomagnetism, lake sediment records, normal and reversed NRM, field reversal, interpretation of geology from crustal field maps.
Lecture 7: Reversal time-scale, lava flows, deep ocean sediments, marine magnetic anomalies, ancient field
Lecture 8: Theories of the origin of the earth's magnetic field, disk dynamo.
Lecture 9: Maxwell's equations, quasi-static approximation.
Lecture 10: Application of magnetohydrodynamics to the core, diffusion and frozen flux approximations, magnetic Reynolds number.
Lecture 11: Dynamo theory, effect, kinematic dynamo problem.
Lecture 12: Navier-Stokes equation, steady slow motion solution, Proudman-Taylor theorem, weak and strong field dynamos.
Lecture 13: Energy sources for the geodynamo.
Lecture 14: Disk Dynamos and Reversals.
Lecture 15: Solar atmosphere and wind.
Lecture 16: Solar magnetic field, solar cycle and the solar wind structure.
|
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | It is RECOMMENDED that students have covered vector calculus, and ideally also the basics of electromagnetism. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 16,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 6,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
72 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 70%, Course Work: 30%, Practical Exam: 0%.
Assessment Deadlines
Course Work: Tuesday week 5 12:00.
Written Exam, Semester 2, May Exam Diet.
|
| Feedback |
Students have the opportunity to submit problem sheet questions and computer-based exercises solutions for feedback. The answers are also discussed in tutorials. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 1:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Students are expected to leave this course with an integrated, critical understanding of the physical and mathematical basis of Geomagnetism.
- Students are expected to have detailed understanding the spatial and temporal characteristics of the geomagnetic field; theories of the origin of the geomagnetic field; the solar atmosphere and the solar wind; applications of geomagnetism.
- Through prerequisite reading, students are expected to develop an understanding of the subjects development and gain insight into the range of data types and techniques of enquiry employed in this field.
- Problem sheets and computer-based exercises will help reinforce mathematical understanding and ability to manipulate data.
- Students are expected to be able to analyse complex problems and be able to demonstrate some originality and creativity in dealing with professional level issues in the field of geomagnetism.
|
Reading List
Most important first
Campbell, W.H. Introduction to Geomagnetic Fields (2nd Edition), Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Jacobs, J.A. (Editor), Geomagnetism (4 vols), Academic Press, 1987.
Kivelson, M.G. and Russell, C.T. Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
Merill, R.T., McElhinny, M.W. and McFadden, P.L. The Magnetic Field of the Earth Paleomagnetism; the Core and the Deep Mantle. Academic Press, 1996.
Parkinson, W.D. Introduction to Geomagnetism, Scottish Academic Press; 1983.
Gubbins, .D. and Herrero-Bervera E. (Editors), Encyclopaedia of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism, Springer, 2007.
Merrill, R., Our Magnetic Earth: The Science of Geomagnetism, University of Chicago Press, 2012.
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Geomagnetism |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr William Brown
Tel:
Email: wb@bgs.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Katerina.Sykioti@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage