EARTH SCIENCES

You should already be familiar with using a Macintosh computer, be able to log in to a machine in the Computer Suite, and be able to find your way around the Earth Sciences' network. If not, you are advised to revise the material provided in the Level 1 DIY Computing Practicals.

The Level 2 DIY practicals have been designed to give you a better grounding in using a Mac, and to introduce you to some important applications (including word-processing, graph plotting, spreadsheets and drawing); they represent the kinds of tasks undertaken in the Earth Sciences.

Projects - with links to necessary files

• Project 1: Working with Illustrator and Excel - formulae and functions in Excel; using Illustrator's Help menu to understand the uses of various tools:
  • project1.pdf
• Project2: Plotting and analysis of geochemical data - exploring regression analysis, used to quantify assosiations between variables
  • project2.pdf
  • sheet1.xls
  • sheet2.xls
• Project 3: Calculating a mineral stability diagram - Gain experience with Excel; learn how to plot various kinds of regression lines with Excel; learn how to plot with DeltaGraph. Specifically we will be calculating reaction boundaries on an actitivity-activity diagram at constant pressure and temperature.
  • project3.pdf
  • Na-HWx.xls
  • SLE.xls
• Project 4: Calculating mineral formulae - Gain more experience with Excel; learn how to use Excel to save time with involved calculations; continue learn how to plot with DeltaGraph. Specifically we will be calculating mineral formulae and using your calulations to classify the amphibole.
  • project4.pdf
  • Amphibole.xls
• Project 5: Plotting mineral compositions on compatibility diagrams - another example of data handling and data plotting of mineral analyses that you can obtain from the electron microprobe. The objectives are to derive the plotting parameters for a Thompson AFM diagram and to plot mineral analyses in a ternary diagram.
  • project5.pdf
  • proj5.xls
• Project 6: Calculating and plotting normative rock compositions - an example of data handling and data plotting of mineral analyses that you can obtain from XRF and gravimetric analysis of rocks. The objectives are to calculate the norms for several basaltic rock compositions.
  • project6.pdf
  • proj6.xls

This is not a taught course, and there is no specific time allocated for it. Download the pdf, or collect a printed copy from the Computer Suite, and work through it systematically, either individually or as part of a group. If you get stuck, seek help from team members or from other groups. By the time you have worked through all the problems, you will have developed the confidence to troubleshoot your own computing problems, and to work collaboratively with your peers. Both are valuable transferable skills which will help you through the rest of your degree course, as well as in the world of employment.

Programs you will use:

Adobe Acrobat Reader / Excel / DeltaGraph /Adobe Illustrator. Both DeltaGraph and Illustrator are only installed on the iMacs; however, you should only require very little time to complete the portions of the project that require their use.

Reading:

There are no recommended texts other than the on-line material, and the books and manuals available in the Computing Suite (for reference only) .

23.08.05