GEOG 4863 Quantitatvie Methods in Geosciences

GEOS/ANTH 4863: Quantitative Techniques in Geosciences

Spring 2008

General Information

Instructor Jackson Cothren

Office OZ8, JBHT320

Phone (479) 575-6790

E-mail jcothren@cast.uark.edu

TA Kwasi Asante

Office JBHT Graduate Assistant Bullpen

E-mail kasante@uark.edu

Classroom JBHT228

Textbook Unwin and O’Sullivan, Geographic Information Analysis (2003)

Readings As assigned

Resources www.mathworks.com

Software Matlab, Geoda

Lecture/Lab (JBHT 228)

Tuesday

Thursday

9:30 – 10:50 am

Office Hours (Instructor)

Wednesday (JBHT320)

8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Office Hours (TA)

Wednesday (JBHT GA Bullpen)

TBD

Friday (JBHT GA Bullpen)

TBD

Course Summary and Objectives This course is an introduction to various numerical methods used by geoscientists. A strong emphasis will be placed on practical exercises in which the student solves problems using Matlab.

Details

Grading Your grade for this course will be based upon in- and out-of-class lab exercises, three mid-term exams, and a comprehensive final exam weighted as follows:

Lab exercises (25%)

Mid-term I (20%)

Mid-term II (20%)

Final Project (35%)

Letter grades will be assigned based on the percentage of points earned as follows:

90% <= Total => A

80% <= Total < 90% => B

70% <= Total < 80% => C

60% <= Total < 70% => D

Total < 60% => F

Lab Exercises Seven (7) graded homework exercises will be assigned over the course of the semester at approximately two week intervals. All exercises will require the student to develop, document and explain a programmatic solution to a specific problem. Collaboration is allowed and encouraged.

Midterms Take-home problem sets requiring some programming. Format will be similar to lab exercise but must be accomplished without assistance from classmates.

Inclement Weather Policy Class will meet unless the University is closed. If for some reason I am unable to lecture, I will notify everyone by email the evening before class meets with instructions on make-up activities. Much of our work will require us to be outside regardless of weather conditions – come to class prepared to be outside.

Calendar