Module manager: Prof Paul Morris
Email: P.J.Morris@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| SOEE2250 | Numerical Methods & Statistics |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Students are introduced to the most common numerical methods and their implementation in Python. They also learn how to handle and report data with uncertainties in an appropriate manner. They are required to think and write about the role of simulation in physical geography.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Design and implement computer programs to solve numerical problems that would be impossible or time-consuming to complete by hand, and to understand the limitations of the programs.
2. Derive expressions for simple numerical methods.
3. Solve mathematical problems via recall or use of the appropriate numerical method for finding the roots or optima of functions, solving linear systems of equations, interpolating values, performing numerical integration and differentiation, and solving initial-value and boundary-value problems.
4. State the advantage and disadvantages of different numerical methods and, where appropriate, conditions required for convergence.
5. Handle and report data with uncertainties in an appropriate manner.
6. Evaluate the role of numerical methods in environmental models and the need to consider data uncertainty when setting up and testing such models.
Numerical methods
1. Errors in Numerical Methods
2. Finding Roots
3. One-Dimensional Optimisation
4. Linear Systems - Direct Methods
5. Linear Systems - Iterative Methods
6. Interpolation
7. Numerical Integration
8. Numerical Differentiation
9. Initial-Value Problems
10. Boundary-Value Problems.
Statistics
1. Error Representation
2. Error Propagation
3. Statistical Analysis
4. Normal Distribution
5. Least-Squares Fitting.
The wider context: the use of simulation in physical geography.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 7 | 1.5 | 10.5 |
| Lecture | 22 | 1 | 22 |
| Practical | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Private study hours | 53.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 46.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Students will be expected to spend time reviewing course material, completing the problems sets and practicals, and practising computer programming. They will also spend time reading on the role of simulation in physical geography.
Problems sets will be given out in the lectures and reviewed in subsequent lectures. Students will receive oral and written feedback on their computer programs.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | (1000 words) | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Students who fail the module will be required to resit any failed component.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 28/07/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team