Instructor: Dr. Donna L. Witter
   Office McGilvrey 235C
   Phone 330-672-7002
   Fax 330-672-7949
   Email dwitter@kent.edu
    Mailbox Dept. of Geology
(McGilvrey 221)
   Web About the Instructor
Course Num: Geol 4/5/72035
Lecture: Tu/Th 12:30-1:45 pm
Classroom: McGilvrey 234
Office Hours: Tues and Thurs 2-4 pm and by appointment
 
Graphic:  Sea level variations off the coast of southern Africa for a twelve year period.  Each line on the plot represents an analysis of over 5000 measurements.  For some types of data, analyses like this are essential for extracting the scientific information in the data set.

 

Rationale and Objectives:  While the earliest roots of geology and Earth science are based on qualitative descriptions, many sub-fields within modern geology and Earth science require quantitative analysis of large, complex, or multi-dimensional datasets.  This course will provide students with the skills and confidence needed to quantitatively analyze scientific data.  This  will be accomplished by helping students "load up their data analysis toolboxes" by studying and applying a diverse array of analysis methods in real world contexts.  Real world examples considered during the semester will be taken from a broad swath of geology and Earth and environmental science.  Students are encouraged to share their specific areas of scientific interest with the instructor.

Pre-requisites: Basic computer skills, algebra trigonometry and one semester of calculus and/or linear algebra will be helpful. Experience with computer software such as Excel will be helpful but is not required.

Text (required for all students enrolled in GEOL 4/5/72035):
        Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology, Third Edition by John C. Davis. 
        Published by Wiley, 2002, ISBN: 978-0-471-17275-8
 

This web site is maintained by the course instructor and posted on the University's web server.  Please email any comments about the web site to the instructor (dwitter@kent.edu).