GLY 573LEC - Introduction to Computational Earth Science

With advances in sensor technology and data acquisition systems, there is growing applications of big scientific datasets in the Earth sciences. Reducing such data to gain insights about the physical world requires not only programming skills, but also the ability to setup basic computational workflow, use of mathematical models and visualization tools to help condense large, complex information into an intelligible report. This course aims to introduce Earth science students to computational methods and computer programming in the widely used MATLAB and python programming environments using Earth-science-specific applications. Computational topics will include numerical and Monte Carlo experiments, data visualization, model-data fusion, intro to machine learning, and uncertainty quantification. The students will obtain experience in the application of these methods through a series of theoretical and computing based exercises. Background in linear algebra and calculus is recommended.

Credits: 3