The course introduces and applies the concepts and methods needed to quantitatively describe the coupling of (bio)geochemical reactions to transport processes in the various compartments of the hydrosphere.
By the end of the course, students will
- have a general understanding of concepts and methods needed to quantitatively describe (bio)geochemical reactions and transport processes in various compartments of the hydrosphere;
- be able to formulate models (conceptually and with mathematical equations) to describe transport and reactions in Earth's surface environments;
- be able to solve simple models analytically and more complex models numerically using appropriate modeling software (R, with relevant packages such as ReacTran, deSolve);
- be able to fit data with a model, and interpret the results of the models in the relevant context (e.g., geochemical processes in rivers, lakes, aquifers, sediments, oceans);
- be able to report the results in written and oral form.
The course will also help develop the following transferable skills:
- Ability to work in a team: Practical exercises and final projects will be done in teams of two students. Students will need to distribute the tasks, organize and execute the workflow, share responsibility for presentation of the results.
- Written communication skills: Assignments and final projects will be presented as reports. Feedback will be given after each report, allowing students to improve.
- Verbal communication skills: Results of the final projects will also be presented orally. Students will receive feedback on the quality of their presentations.
- Analytical/quantitative skills: Throughout the course students will solve quantitative tasks using analytical and numerical methods. They will also interpret their results in the wider context of environmental biogeochemistry.
- Strong work ethic: students will be required to follow fixed deadlines for delivering assignments and results of their final projects.
- Technical skills: students will write their own code to solve models. This will develop their programming skills in the programming language R. Preparation of written reports and oral presentation will help them develop skills in programs used for word processing and slide shows.
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- Basics of model formulation (from conceptual diagrams to differential equations)
- Introduction to R (focus on deSolve and ReacTran packages)
- Spatial components and parameterization
- Model solution (analytical vs. numerical methods)
- Stability and feedback analysis
- Regression analysis (fitting of data by a model)
- Case studies/Applications:
- River/Lake chemistry
- Diagenesis in sediments
- Aquifers
- Global ocean biogeochemistry
By the end of the course, students will
- have a general understanding of concepts and methods needed to quantitatively describe (bio)geochemical reactions and transport processes in various compartments of the hydrosphere;
- be able to formulate models (conceptually and with mathematical equations) to describe transport and reactions in Earth's surface environments;
- be able to solve simple models analytically and more complex models numerically using appropriate modeling software (R, with relevant packages such as ReacTran, deSolve);
- be able to fit data with a model, and interpret the results of the models in the relevant context (e.g., geochemical processes in rivers, lakes, aquifers, sediments, oceans);
- be able to report the results in written and oral form.
The course will also help develop the following transferable skills:
- Ability to work in a team: Practical exercises and final projects will be done in teams of two students. Students will need to distribute the tasks, organize and execute the workflow, share responsibility for presentation of the results.
- Written communication skills: Assignments and final projects will be presented as reports. Feedback will be given after each report, allowing students to improve.
- Verbal communication skills: Results of the final projects will also be presented orally. Students will receive feedback on the quality of their presentations.
- Analytical/quantitative skills: Throughout the course students will solve quantitative tasks using analytical and numerical methods. They will also interpret their results in the wider context of environmental biogeochemistry.
- Strong work ethic: students will be required to follow fixed deadlines for delivering assignments and results of their final projects.
Technical skills: students will write their own code to solve models. This will develop their programming skills in the programming language R. Preparation of written reports and oral presentation will help them develop skills in programs used for word processing and slide shows.
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