General Prerequisites: B5.2 Applied Partial Differential Equations and B5.3 Viscous Flow recommended.
Course Overview: The aim of the course is to illustrate the techniques of mathematical modelling in their particular application to environmental problems. The mathematical techniques used are drawn from the theory of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. The course requires a willingness to become familiar with a range of different scientific disciplines. In particular, some familiarity with the concepts of fluid mechanics will be useful. The course will provide exposure to some current research topics.
Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:
Derive and explain mathematical models for a range of geoscientific problems
Analyse such models to determine the relative importance of different physical and chemical effects, and to formulate appropriate reduced models
Use a range of mathematical techniques to solve the models, and be able to interpret the results in terms of applications to real-world phenomena
Course Synopsis: Applications of mathematics to environmental or geophysical problems involving the use of models with ordinary and partial differential equations. Examples to be considered are:
- Climate dynamics (radiative balance, greenhouse effect, ice-albedo feedback, carbon cycle)
- River flows (conservation laws, flood hydrographs, St Venant equations, sediment transport, bed instabilities)
- Ice dynamics (glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice)
