Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists - 2025 entry

Mathematics and data are at the heart of all science and engineering subjects: we create mathematical models to understand and predict the behaviour of physical systems and we use mathematics to understand data and make precise, quantitative statements about the world. Provided at least a good grade at GCSE level mathematics, this module takes students of all levels of experience or confidence and brings them up to a level required to use mathematics as a tool in their other chosen pathways and modules.

This module aims to;

1. consolidate key mathematical principles and methods in the areas of algebra, trigonometry, calculus and basic statistics; and

2. introduce essential IT systems and software.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and  Knowledge:

1. Use fundamental Stage 1 (NQF Level 4) mathematical skills in algebra, trigonometry, calculus and statistics, ensuring that more advanced topics may be studied with confidence in later modules.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

2. Formulate in mathematical and statistical terms simple problems encountered in geo-scientific areas;

3. Take data from a range of sources and undertake simple modeling tasks. 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

4. Apply given tools/methods accurately and appropriately to a well-defined problem and begin to appreciate the complexity of mathematical issues in the degree discipline;

5. Demonstrate familiarity with all essential IT systems to support personal study including a spreadsheet package to support the study and communication of mathematics

• Algebra Review: operator precedence; manipulating fractions; expansion and factorisation; laws of indicies; transposition.

• SI Units Review: scientific notation; dimensional analysis.

• Trigonometry Review: degrees and radians; Pythagorean theorem; ratios; sine and cosine rules.

• Functions and Graphs: lines; polynomials; roots; inverse functions; trigonometric; exponential and logarithm.

• Solving equations: linear simultaneous equations; quadratics; exponentials and logarithms; inequalities; numerical methods.

• Introduction to Calculus: concepts of differentiation and integration; derivatives and integrals of basic functions; applications; numerical methods.

• Probability: combinatorics; independence; conditional probability and Bayes’ theorem; discrete and continuous random variables; binomial, Poisson and normal distributions.

• Descriptive Statistics: central tendency; dispersion; plots.

• Statistics: sampling; estimation; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing; regression; correlation.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Basic reading:

• ELE

Web based and electronic resources:

• Croft, A. & Davison, R. Foundation Maths  Website                     

• HELM & MathAid (UoP)

External resources:

• MathCentre - www.mathcentre.ac.uk

Reading list for this module: