2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1160 Computers and Programming in Geosciences

10 creditsClass Size: 26

Module manager: Dr Andy Nowacki
Email: A.Nowacki@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

A/AS-level Maths, or equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE2240	Computer Systems & Programming
SOEE5821M	Environmental Modelling

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is designed to introduce students 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 an introduction to programming in Python and a brief look at the Linux operating system.This module is taught via combined lecture and practical classes and is assessed by two in-course assessments.

Objectives

The module provides students with the skills necessary to design and implement short computer programs in order to analyze geophysical data and report the results of this analysis. It builds the key computational skills needed for further study of geophysics at Leeds. In addition, the module introduces geographical information systems used to create maps and show data on these maps.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Produce electronics map using the ArcGIS mapping software;
2. Navigate a file system using python or a UNIX shell, create and edit files in these systems and create scripts to automate data processing;.
3. Design and implement short computer programs in Python to process, analyse and display data;
4. Make use of the programming techniques to permit numerical computation.

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. Python

- variables and operators (logical, floating point and integer arithmetic, strings,
variable assignment, and data types)
- data structures (lists and dictionaries)
- numerical programming (matrices, arrays, numpy and scipy)
- procedural programming (conditional statements, iteration, and functions)
- data manipulation and visualisation (making graphs and maps, reading and
writing to files)
- debugging and defensive programming (exceptions, assertions, and the stack
trace)
- code and data encapsulation (functions, modules, and basic concepts of object
oriented programming)

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Practical	4	2.00	8.00
Practical	11	3.00	33.00
Private study hours			55.00
Total Contact hours			45.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

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

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive oral feedback on their work from demonstrators and staff, in the practical sessions.

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

Students who fail the module are required to re-sit the failed component.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:25:47

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