Mathematics of the Environment - 2019 entry
MODULE TITLE | Mathematics of the Environment | CREDIT VALUE | 15 |
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MODULE CODE | ECM2911 | MODULE CONVENER | Prof Markus Mueller (Coordinator) |
DURATION: TERM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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DURATION: WEEKS | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) | 40 |
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Mathematics Matters. These words are often stated. In this module we put these words to the test. You will build core computational skills and use these to explore important societal themes from a mathematical perspective. A distinctive feature of the module is that each exploration starts with a plenary-style colloquium from an expert scientist or engineer. Then, working in small classroom-based group work sessions, you will develop and apply a variety of mathematical, statistical and computational techniques either, inspired by, or to analyse and dissect, the expert opinion. You will communicate the analyses from your group to your peers for discussion and report your findings.
Pre-requisite: A Level in Mathematics, or equivalent
The module has three interwoven aims: Develop core Matlab skills; understand key societal themes from a mathematical and computational perspective; develop transferable skills including team-work, report writing and presentation skills. Inter-disciplinarity is key and throughout the module there will be ample opportunity to work alongside mathematical scientists to break down pre-conceived barriers between different areas of mathematics and different applications in science and engineering. Your learning will follow a “develop skills – apply skills – present skills” cycle. Each cycle will combine lectures and computer lab sessions aimed at building-up computational skills, an introduction lecture to a research theme by an expert from science or engineering, and guided exploration of the scientific/engineering theme in groups, ending with a presentation or poster session. The cycle will be repeated across three skill sets/applications to offer a wide range of mathematical and computational skills and their application across a wide range of scientific themes.
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 Listen critically to experts from science and engineering and assimilate imparted knowledge in mathematical terms;
2 Analyse contemporary scientific issues using mathematical, statistical and computational techniques;
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
3 Abstract scientific issues into logical mathematical form;
4 Synthesize a range of mathematical, statistical and computational techniques;
5 Develop evidenced-based reasoning;
Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6 Engage in informed debate concerning key issues from the engineering, environmental and life sciences;
7 Engage with stakeholders from the engineering, environmental and life sciences;
8 Engage in group work with peers from different disciplines with different skill sets.
The syllabus has two key threads: A skills-based thread aimed at developing core MaATLAB skills and related mathematical and computational techniques; and an applications-based thread whereby skills are applied to key societal challenges*. The challenges are posed by an expert from engineering, environmental or life sciences.
Learning and teaching will follow a 3-stage cycle. In each stage, you will work in teams to put applied maths and computational skills into practice in a real-world application. Each stage will conclude with a group presentation or poster session.
Weeks 1-3: Theme A. Climate Change Project
To include energy balance, tipping points, hysteresis in the climate. [3x4 hours]
This theme will also introduce you to the following MATLAB skills: Getting started; Lists and arrays; 2D plotting; Extrapolation and interpolation; Loops, iteration and logic; Matrices and matrix algebra in MATLAB;
Weeks 4-7: Theme B. Natural Populations Project
To include population projection modelling, eigenvalue and eigenvector analysis of population growth trends, and mathematical approaches to population management. [3x4 hours]
You will continue to develop MATLAB skills, using iterative schemes to make projections, performing eigenvector and eigenvalue calculations, and use of 2D plotting to visualise population growth;
Weeks 8-10: Theme C. LiDAR and the Environment Project
To include data handling and 3D plotting. [3x4 hours]
You will gain experience of processing and visualising large data sets in MATLAB.
Weeks 11-12: Individual Project
To build on scientific themes and consolidate MATLAB skills, leading to an individual report. To assess your skills under ILOs 1-5 you will include a reflection on the quantitative skills applied to demonstrate your understanding of the modelling and computational aspects of the module. [Independent study with 3 hours of academic support per week].
*The exact details of each challenge may vary from year to year because one key aim is to address contemporary issues.
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 44 | Guided Independent Study | 106 | Placement / Study Abroad | 0 |
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Category | Hours of study time | Description |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10 | Lectures and computer demos |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 3 | Colloquium-style lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 3 | Peer-to-peer presentations |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 28 | Guided group work and independent study |
Guided Independent Study | 106 | Wider reading and preparation |
Form of Assessment | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
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Minutes for Group Meetings (expected 2-3 meetings per theme) | 500 words (or equivalent) per minutes document | 1-8 | Oral |
Mock Class Test | 40 minutes | 2-4 | Written/Computer-Based |
Coursework | 100 | Written Exams | 0 | Practical Exams | 0 |
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Form of Assessment | % of Credit | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
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Three Group Presentations/Posters | 25 | Per Presentation: 10 min/ Per Poster: 1000 words (or equivalent) | 1-8 | Oral and Written |
Class Test | 25 | 40 minutes | 2-4 | Written/Computer-based |
Individual Report | 25 | 2000 words (or equivalent) | 1-7 | Written |
Quantitative Skills Report | 25 | 2000 words (or equivalent) | Primarily 1-5 | Oral and Written |
Original Form of Assessment | Form of Re-assessment | ILOs Re-assessed | Time Scale for Re-reassessment |
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All Above | Individual Report 3000 words (or equivalent) | All | August Ref/Def Period |
If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.
If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Basic Reading:
ELE - http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Web based and Electronic Resources:
Met Office Hadley Centre - UKCP18 Science Overview Report:
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/ukcp18/science-reports/UKCP18-Overview-report.pdf
American Meteorological Society (AMS) - State of the Climate in 2015:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports - AR5 Synthesis Report:
https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf
Other IPCC Reports:
Other Resources:
Sanyal, J. & Lu, X.X. Application of Remote Sensing in Flood Management with Special Reference to Monsoon Asia: A Review, Natural Hazards (2004) 33: 283
https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000037035.65105.95
Tarsi, K. & Tuff, T. (2012) Introduction to Population Demographics. Nature Education Knowledge 3(11):3
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/introduction-to-population-demographics-83032908
Reading list for this module:
Type | Author | Title | Edition | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
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Set | McMahon, D. | MATLAB Demystified | McGraw-Hill | 2007 | 978-0071485517 | |
Set | Gander, W. | Learning MATLAB: A Problem Solving Approach | Springer | 2015 | 978-3319253275 | |
Set | Higham, D. and Higham, N. | MATLAB Guide | 3rd | SIAM | 2017 | 978-1611974652 |
Set | Kharab, A. and Guenther, R.B. | An Introduction To Numerical Methods: A MATLAB Approach | Chapman & Hall | 2012 | 978-1439868997 | |
Set | Deffeyes, K.S. | Beyond Oil: The View from Hubbert's Peak | Hill & Wang | 2006 | 978-0809029570 | |
Set | Otto, S.P. and Day, T. | A Biologist's Guide to Mathematical Modeling in Ecology and Evolution | 1st | Princeton University Press | 2007 | 978-0691123448 |
Set | Campbell, J.B. and Wynne, R. | Introduction to Remote Sensing | 5th | Guilford Press | 2011 |
CREDIT VALUE | 15 | ECTS VALUE | 7.5 |
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PRE-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
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CO-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) | 5 | AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING | No |
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ORIGIN DATE | Wednesday 11th January 2017 | LAST REVISION DATE | Wednesday 24th July 2019 |
KEY WORDS SEARCH | Interdisciplinary Mathematics and Statistics; Ecology; Environmental Change; Policy; Society; Scientific Computing with MATLAB |
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Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.