Undergraduate Course: Practical Geochemistry and Data Analysis (EASC10103)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will provide an overview of a range of geochemical tools used on GeoSciences, and will provide practical hands-on experience of the procedures required to produce geochemical data. The course will also provide training in the use of computer programming and its application to data analysis using geochemical examples. The course will develop students' ability in generation and testing of scientific hypotheses and in the communication of scientific findings through report writing. |
| Course description |
The PGDA course has three components: a section which introduces data processing using the Python programming language, in semester 1; a section on geochemical theory, also in semester 1; and finally in semester 2 there is a geochemical data project where students will collect data and use existing datasets to address a geoscientific question of their own choosing.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 13,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 1,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 39,
Revision Session Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
142 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Feedback |
Feedback on the programming aspect of the course will be provided during the practical sessions, and online.
Feedback on geochemical theory will be provided in tutorial sessions and via Q&A hosted on a Learn discussion forum.
Feedback on the analytical project hypotheses constructions and write up will be via a set of tutorials in semester 2.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Be able to apply a range of geochemical tools to Earth and environmental science topics and explain the theoretical basis for the operation of those tools.
- Explain processes that are required to extract accurate geochemical data from natural samples.
- To be able to apply a range of data processing/analysis techniques and the ability to determine suitable approaches to test hypotheses.
- Be able to quantitatively describe an interpret geochemical data, and develop scientific writing skills.
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Reading List
William M. White. (n.d.). Geochemistry.
Francis Albarède. (2009). Geochemistry: An Introduction (Second edition..). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Hugh R. Rollinson (Hugh Richard), 1949-. (1993). Using geochemical data: evaluation, presentation, interpretation. Harlow: Longman Scientific & Technical.
John C. Davis. (2002). Statistics and data analysis in geology (Third edition..). New York; Chichester: John Wiley.
Steve McKillup. (2010). Geostatistics Explained: An Introductory Guide for Earth Scientists. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ellam Rob. (2016). Isotopes: A Very Short Introduction (1st ed., p. 152).
David. Waltham. (2000). Mathematics: a simple tool for geologists (Second edition..). Oxford: Blackwell Science.
Essential maths for geoscientists: an introduction. (2014). Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
Tom Scott. (n.d.). One simple interview question. YouTube.
Additional Journal articles will be provided for relevant lectures
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Geomaterials,Evolution of the Living Earth,Earth Modelling and Prediction |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alex Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)50 8749
Email: Alex.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk |
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