2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3020 Numerical Methods and Statistics

10 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Prof Andy Baird
Email: a.j.baird@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE2250

Numerical Methods & Statistics

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

Students are introduced to the most common numerical methods and their implementation in Python. They also learn how to handle and report data with uncertainties in an appropriate manner. They are required to think and write about the role of simulation in physical geography.

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

1. Design and implement computer programs to solve numerical problems that would be impossible or time-consuming to complete by hand, and to understand the limitations of the programs.

2. Derive expressions for simple numerical methods.

3. Solve mathematical problems via recall or use of the appropriate numerical method for finding the roots or optima of functions, solving linear systems of equations, interpolating values, performing numerical integration and differentiation, and solving initial-value and boundary-value problems.

4. State the advantage and disadvantages of different numerical methods and, where appropriate, conditions required for convergence.

5. Handle and report data with uncertainties in an appropriate manner.

6. Evaluate the role of numerical methods in environmental models and the need to consider data uncertainty when setting up and testing such models.

Syllabus

Numerical methods
1. Errors in Numerical Methods
2. Finding Roots
3. One-Dimensional Optimisation
4. Linear Systems - Direct Methods
5. Linear Systems - Iterative Methods
6. Interpolation
7. Numerical Integration
8. Numerical Differentiation
9. Initial-Value Problems
10. Boundary-Value Problems.
Statistics
1. Error Representation
2. Error Propagation
3. Statistical Analysis
4. Normal Distribution
5. Least-Squares Fitting.
The wider context: the use of simulation in physical geography.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			58.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will be expected to spend time reviewing course material, completing the problems sets and practicals, and practising computer programming. They will also spend time reading on the role of simulation in physical geography.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Problems sets will be given out in the lectures and reviewed in subsequent lectures. Students will receive oral and written feedback on their computer programs.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	In-class computer programming assignment coupled with a separate short report on the role of simulation in physical geography (1000 words, short-answer format)	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Students who fail the module will be required to resit any failed component.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 15:36:36

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