2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1160 Computers and Programming in Geosciences

10 creditsClass Size: 26

Module manager: Dr Stephen Stackhouse
Email: S.Stackhouse@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

A-level Maths, or equivalent (SOEE1480).

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE2240

Computer Systems & Programming

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is designed to introduce you to the School of Earth and Environment computer system, mapping software and basic computer programming. It begins in the first semester with an overview of the ArcGIS mapping software. This is followed in the second semester by a brief look at the UNIX operating system, and a basic introduction to programming in MATLAB. It is intended that the module should provide a starting point for enabling you to write custom computer programs to solve problems in your own research.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Produce electronics map using the ArcGIS mapping software
2. Navigate a UNIX environment
3. Use a UNIX based text editor
4. Design and implement shell scripts to process data
5. Design and implement simple computer programs in MATLAB
6. Make a critical assessment of a computer program

Skills outcomes
Computer literacy on Linux operating systems, shell scripting, programming expertise in MATLAB.

Syllabus

1. ArcGIS
- creating a map base
- point data, geological data, processing 3D point data

2. UNIX
- file system navigation and management
- tools and shell scripts

3. MATLAB
- matrix manipulation and plotting
- writing scripts and functions
- reading from and writing to files
- conditional statements and loops
- formatting output
- structured programming and debugging

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Practical	15	2.00	30.00
Private study hours			59.00
Total Contact hours			41.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students should spend time revising course material, practicing programming and completing coursework.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored in the practical classes, where students will receive help debugging their codes and through marked computer programming assessments.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	mapping project: electronic map and interpretation	30.00
In-course Assessment	programming assessments	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 17/08/2016

Disclaimer

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