MT12CNU-Skills for Environmental Science

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Prof Keith Morrison

Email: k.morrison@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces instruments and techniques used to measure meteorological parameters, basic skills in observation, data collection, analyses and management, as well as developing skills in computer programming useful in environmental science.

The Module lead at NUIST is Yanwei Li.

Aims:

• To introduce the instruments and techniques used to measure meteorological parameters, and to appreciate their limitations;

• To observe meteorological parameters in the observing field.

• To develop skills in computer programming useful in environmental science, for data processing and analysis.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Knowledge of meteorological instruments and their application;

• Ability to observe parameters, including an appreciation of experimental errors;

• Ability to use observation software to read, analyze, collect, manage meteorological data.

• Ability to communicate experimental results in a concise, accurate and comprehensible manner;

• Ability to understand basic computer programming principles;

• Ability to construct a simple computer program to perform logical and numerical operations;

• Ability to perform simple science data processing tasks using a computer program and spreadsheet tools.

Additional outcomes:

The student will develop enhanced team-working and basic experimental skills.

Outline content:

• First half: Generic characteristics of instruments for environmental measurement, as determined by response, sensitivity, lag, sampling and error analysis. The design, operation of instruments used to measure temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, broadband solar and


• terrestrial radiation, rainfall and upper air properties;


• Second half: Basic understanding of programming for environmental data analysis including: code readability and commenting, variables mathematical and logical operators, conditional branching, conditional loops, functions, reading data from files, plotting, module structure.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The instrumentation and practical components are taught in the weeks 1-8 of the semester and involve 16 45-minute lectures plus approximately 16 hours of practical work. The IT component is taught in the weeks 9-16 of the semester and involve practical classes with a strong self-learning element supported by notes and demonstrations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		56
Practicals classes and workshops		40
Guided independent study:		104
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	66
Set exercise	34

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

For the practical component, the student is required to submit one report for formative assessment

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

September examination only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 13 May 2019