CEG8501 : Quantitative Methods for Engineering
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Caspar Hewett
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of statistical and other quantitative methods, appropriate to research in water resources and hydroinformatics engineering disciplines. It is designed to provide the foundations for the mathematics and statistics that students will encounter in subsequent MSc modules related to Hydrology and Water Management.
This module provides students with a range of quantitative methods they will need when interpreting and analysing data and developing models in water resources and hydroinformatics.
The above aims will be achieved by adopting a combination of lectures, tutorials and computer-based workshops.
The subsequent, essentially engineering and technically-focussed modules, will provide the student with opportunity to apply the knowledge gained.
Outline Of Syllabus
Algebraic manipulation – linear and non-linear; Functions;
Differentiation;
Differential equations;
Integration;
Matrices;
Vectors;
Solutions of simultaneous equations; Probability & statistics;
Probability distribution; Estimation and confidence limits; Significance tests;
Regression;
Time series analysis;
Spatial analysis
This module will introduce the students to programming in Python.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 33 | 1:00 | 33:00 | Present in person lectures (problems classes) |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 10 | 0:30 | 5:00 | Video lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Written examination |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Revision for exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Coursework (maths & stats for hydrology) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Numbas Practical in cluster (in person) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Practicals in clusters (in person) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Python workbook |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Practice questions for self-assessment (provided) |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The rationale for the teaching methods employed on this module is to provide ample opportunity for students to try out problems, understand how the methods introduced are applied in in water resources and hydroinformatics engineering disciplines. Formal lectures are used to teach the skills necessary for statistical and other numerical techniques. Taught sessions typically consist of an hour of interactive lecture directly followed by an hour and a half of tutorial. During tutorial sessions, students are expected to apply methods learnt to solve mathematical and statistical problems. These sessions are supervised and help is given when needed to aid skill development. Students then undertake practical-based activities in which their new skills, knowledge and understanding can be reinforced including, for example, statistical analysis. The computer-based workshop (practical) is intended both to introduce students to modelling tools/data manipulation and to consolidate learning by drawing on examples introduced in lectures and tutorials.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | M | 50 | Written examination on mathematics part of module |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 50 | Coursework using data analysis |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Self-assessment tests which test basic skills in mathematics and statistics. |
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | practice questions |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Assessed by written examination and coursework. This format allows a student's knowledge and understanding of quantitative methods to be monitored, applied and tested. Assessment is split between:-
(a) Numbas practice questions – self-assessment tests which monitor progress and test basic skills in mathematics and statistics (formative);
(b) Practice questions (formative);
(c) Coursework - which monitor development and application of data analysis skills in statistics.
(d) Examination covering mathematics part of module.
(e) Formative assessments ((a) and (b) above) are intended to feed directly into taught sessions, giving students the opportunity to highlight areas of difficulty which can be reviewed during in person sessions.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8501's Timetable