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2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SOEE2710 Data Analysis and Visualisation for Environmental Applications
10 creditsClass Size: 35
Module manager: Dr Cathryn Birch
Email: C.E.Birch@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
This module is mutually exclusive with
| SOEE2810 | Data Analysis and Visualisation |
| SOEE2931 | Advanced Skills for Geoscientists |
| SOEE5710M | Advanced Data Analysis and Visualisation for Environmental A |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module is designed to teach you the basic computer programming skills required to analyse and plot environmental data sets, beyond what could be done using software such as Excel. The course begins with an introduction to the UNIX computer system and the basic principles of computer programming. Programming experience in the aspects of the Python language necessary for data manipulation and visualisation is developed through the course of the module. It is intended that the module will provide the basic skills required to write the custom computer programs necessary for projects such as your final year dissertation.Objectives
On completion of this module students will be able to:1. Navigate a UNIX environment
2. Design and implement simple computer programs in Python to read in, manipulate and plot a range of environment-related data sets
3. Make a critical assessment of a computer program
Learning outcomes
Computer literacy on a linux operating terminal
Programming expertise in Python
Logic and syntax required for effective computer programming
How to read in, manipulate and output environmental data sets
Ability to visualise environmental data sets through simple plotting
How to diagnose and fix errors in code
Best practise in layout and structure of programming scripts
Skills outcomes
Computer literacy on Linux operating systems, the logic and syntax required for effective computer programming, programming expertise in Python, how to manipulate and plot environmental data sets, best practise in layout and structure of Python scripts.
Syllabus
1. LINUX
- file-system navigation, basic text editor and file management
2. PYTHON PROGRAMMING
- reading simple data types (e.g. text files)
- matrix manipulation (e.g. time and spatial means)
- conditional statements and loops
- data visualisation and plotting (line, scatter and contour plots)
- writing scripts and functions
- formatting simple output data
- structured programming and debugging
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Computer Simulated Practical Techniques | 8 | 1.50 | 12.00 |
| Computer Class | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Lecture | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 32.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 35.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 33.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Completion of outstanding tasks on non-assessed weekly computer worksheets, which students will begin in class, where assistance from demonstrators is available. Completion of the coursework assignment following the coursework workshop sessions.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will be able to ask questions and discuss examples with staff during the live-coding sessions each week. They will receive informal feedback on debugging codes, coding style and their responses to the non-assessed worksheets every week during the computer practical classes.Formal written feedback will be provided for the assessed coursework.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Computer Exercise | Investigation of the climate during the Last Glacial Maximum using climate model data, through guided programming tasks. Ability to write functional code (40%), code in a good style that produces quality plots (30%) and interpret the results (30%) are assessed. | 100.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
The resit is a single, assessed programming worksheet.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 07/12/2023 14:10:06
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