Description: Any measurement, however careful and scientific, is subject to some uncertainties. This course aims at providing the students with knowledge of mathematical techniques to study and evaluate these uncertainties. In particular, the main functions of the error analysis are to estimate how large the uncertainties in a given measurement or calculation are and to evaluate what can be done to reduce these uncertainties, when necessary. In the course, particular focus shall be given to error propagation and tests of statistical significance of experimental data. The course will cover enough derivation to justify and understand the equations, but will emphasize methods and examples more than theory. Examples in lectures and exercises shall focus on geoscientific applications. The students shall acquire the ability to successfully apply error analysis in their research activities and scientific works in the Department of Geosciences. Detailed list of contents is available in KLIPS 2.0.
Pre-requisite: Knowledge of partial differentiation and multiple integration, and knowledge of programming in MATLAB (minimum is knowledge of how to program for loops, as well as operations with vectors and matrices).
Literature: Bevington, P.R., Keith Robinson, D., Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences, McGrawHill, 3rd edition (2002); Taylor, J.R., An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements, University Science Books, 2nd edition (1997), among others.
Language: English
Location / time: Please check course availability and schedule in KLIPS 2.0.
Course instructor: Dr. Eric Parteli
To register:
Registration for students of the Master "Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere" via KLIPS 2.0
GSGS students can register via email to eric.parteli
uni-koeln.de.
