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GEO1040 - Introduction to programming with applications in geosciences

Course content

Computers are unavoidable tools for modern geoscientists. They are used extensively, from running large simulation packages to making simple, small programs for reworking and visualizing data.

The aim of this course is to show you the way from a scientific problem to a program. It gives an introduction to how to write programs which can read/write data from files, do simple calculations and statistics on them, and visualize the results. How you can make well-structured and commented programs is emphasized. MATLAB and MATLAB Editor are used as the main programming language and editor. Examples from geosciences are used as starting points for the programming.

Learning outcomes

You will learn to make programs so that they can rework and visualize their own data. This is done by learning basic commands in MATLAB, usage of MATLAB Editor and of basic commands in Linux. You will also be exposed to different problems in geosciences and to the importance of their quantitative aspect.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

One of these:

• Mathematics R1
• Mathematics (S1+S2)

And and in addition one of these:

• Mathematics (R1+R2)
• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies. Read more about special admission requirements.

Teaching

8 hours per week of lectures and data lab (practicals) over one semester (about 15 weeks).

Several mandatory problems must be completed within given deadlines during the course; if these are not accepted, the student may not take the final exam.

Exam information

1 compulsory, written assignment and 3 hours written, final written exam (3 hours). Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course. Letter grades (A-F). The grade is mostly determined by the final exam. The quality of the final assignment may be used to modify the grade by one step up or down.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

External auditor: Bjørn Wangensteen

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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