2020-2021 / OCEA0014-1

Mathematical analysis and modelling methods applied to the environment

Duration

20h Th, 20h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in geography, global change (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)4 crédits 

Lecturer

Marilaure Grégoire

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Mathematical basic concepts and tools applied to the analysis and modeling of physical, biological and chemical aspects of the environment. in particular, a focus is put on theoritical and mathematical ecology with practical examples using R.  
The course will involve the follwoing chapters:
1) Concepts and tools of mathematical analysis: revision of basic mathematics: function, limit and asymtotic behavior, derivative function (simple, composite and material, taylor expansion), primitive and integration, basics of modelling (mass balance equation), (moving) averaging of continuous function, ..Remediation exercices will be organized. 
2) Dimensional analysis: dimensions, principle of dimensional homogeneity, characteristic length and time scales. Dimensionnal analysis, Pi theorem, systematic determination of dimensionless products, .. 
3) Interpolation: unidimensional and multi-dimensional interpolation, linear estimation, objective analysis, 
4) Analysis of time series: generalities, Fourier series and transform, filtering, 
5) Dynamical modelling with one equation: the malthusian growth model, Verhulst logistic model, equilibrium and stability, linear perturbation analysis, solution of basic ordinary differential equations, 
6) Dynamic modelling with interactions: modelling of biochemical transformation, composed reactions, prey-preadtor, species competition, serach for steatdy state solution, space phase analysis, and analyse the stability (linear pertrubation, determination of the Jacobian matrix). R exercices will be organized. 
7) Modelling with partial differential equations: continuity equations, adevctionn-diffusion eqaution in 3D and 1D , spectral window, 
 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Introduction to the basics of mathematical modelling.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Calculus and matrix algebra.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures introducing the theoretical aspects + applications and exemples.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face learning.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

Slides of the lectures will be available. 
 

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

A written test in january (first session).
A written test in August/September (retake).
 
This written test will be organized on line via eCampus because the sanitary conditions do not allow a written examination in presence. 

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

First quadrimestre

Contacts

Marilaure Grégoire
Département d'Astrophysique, Géophysique et Océanographie 
MAST-FOCUS research group
B5a Sart-Tilman
mgregoire@uliege.be

Items online

Theory and applications
Lecture notes (in French).