Basic Skills in the Earth Sciences

Developing new knowledge in the Earth Sciences requires an understanding and application of concepts from other disciplines (whether learning as a novice or researching as an expert). These include maths, chemistry and physics. Many students are seen to have difficulties with these 'basic skills' (basic in the sense that they form a solid base rather than that they are simple). These difficulties may arise of a lack of a strong foundation at school level or through trouble with bridging the gap between the mathematical or scientific theory and the geological application.

The following list of resources provides a sample of the texts and tools available to support learning and teaching in this area:

Mathematics

• Website: Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences
  "This website provides information on the issues involved in teaching quantitative skills and methods for doing so as well as additional resources and a community of other faculty who are all attempting this challenging task."
• Website: Math Tutorials for Students in Introductory Geosciences
  "A series of student-centered web-based quantitative topics that can be customized to and run concurrently with any introductory geoscience course."
• Resource Briefing : Mathematics, Statistics & Quantitative Skills in GEES (pdf file: December 2003, links updated April 2008)
  A handy summary from the GEES Subject Centre of the key issues around teaching quantitative skills in geography, earth & environmental sciences, some useful suggestions and strategies, and a resources, references & further reading.
• Guide: Understanding the UK Mathematics Curriculum Pre-Higher Education:
  This guide outlines what students with given prior qualifications in mathematics are likely to know and be able to do and is written for those within the UK HE sector (published 2010).
• Resource List: Maths for Scientists (pdf file)
  An annotated resource list from the Physical Sciences Subject Centre.
• Project: Interactive Mathematics and Geoscience Education (IMAGE)
  A project developed at UCL aimed at developing maths and fieldwork skills in the geosciences. All students may use the maths tutorial.
  

Chemistry

• Software: UK Earth Science Courseware Consortium
  Computer-aided learning modules developed by a team at the University of Manchester, includes maths, chemistry and physics.
• Website: Resources for Teaching Geochemistry
  An annotated collection of resources collated from a professional development workshop. Includes modules, activities and internet resources.
• Journal Article: Knapp et al (2003) An Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Introductory Chemistry to Geology Students. Journal of Geoscience Education, Vol. 51 No. 5 pp484-489
  This article describes an introductory level course which aims to provide "a hands-on, geologically focused approach to teaching geologists chemistry."

Any more resources?

If you know of any texts, websites, toolkits (computer-based or otherwise) or any other resources useful for learning and teaching basic skills in the Earth Sciences do let us know. Email Helen King at helen@helenkingconsultancy.co.uk