The purpose of this page is to draw attention to those aspects of Mathematics to be found in the UKESCC courseware and to pin-point the modules containing the material. Links to descriptions of individual module are given at the bottom of the page.
Mathematics material in the Basic Skills module
The 'Basic Skills for Earth Sciences' module covers the fundamental elements of mathematics, physics and chemistry that are required when studying Earth Science. The maths section covers basic things like manipulating numbers, calculating areas and volumes, and uses of trigonometry and graphs. Most of these topics are dealt with by means of worked and set examples and in many cases equations are built-up step-by-step.
In the manipulating numbers section significant figures are dealt with together with the nature of fractions (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions) and powers of ten. Scientific notation - the shorthand method of writing large and small numbers expressed to powers of ten - is also covered.
In the calculating areas section squares, rectangles, circles, ellipses and triangles are covered, together with the square root and the way to calculate the circumference and perimeter of circles and ellipses. Calculating volumes covers cubes, spheres, cylinders and the prism/cone.
Trigonometry is considered briefly, introducing angles, latitudes and longitudes, sine, cosine and tangent calculations. The use of these simple trigonometry is illustrated by the method of calculating distances on the Earth.
In the 'Graphs in Geology' section slopes and gradients are explained and the meaning of direct and inverse proportions. The concept of linear relationships is dealt with, including the equation of a straight line, followed by the exponential relationship and exponential curves.
Different types of graph are presented including log-linear and log-log graphs. The meaning of the term 'Normalised' is defined in a description of the triangular diagram.
Mathematics material in other courseware modules
Simple maths, equations and formulae are used throughout the courseware modules in places too numerous to list here. Instead, only examples that deal with specific maths concepts are mentioned here.
The 'Rock Deformation and Geological Structures' module used equations and associated mathematics throughout. In the 'Introduction' definitions are given of vector and scalar quantities and the way vectors can be resolved into components and components combined into resultants.
In the 'Analysis of Stress' section the use of Mohr circle diagrams for stress analysis is explained. An optional maths section is provided showing how the equations used are derived.
In the 'Radiogenic Isotopes in Geological Sciences' module a step-by-step explanation is given of the way the radioactive decay equation is derived. This equation is then used in the dating of rocks. There is a small section dealing with logs; in this the difference between common and natural logarithms is explained and how logs can be used to help sole equations.
While some equations need to be memorised others are available at any time, for example in the geophysics modules equations for the three geophysical methods used are available via a pull-down menu.
Basic Skills for Earth Scientists
Exploring the Shallow Subsurface using Geophysics
Rock Deformation and Geological Structures
Radiogenic Isotopes in Geological Sciences
