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MT2IEM-Instrumentation for Environmental Measurements
Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: MT12C Skills for Environmental Science PH101 Physics of the Natural World
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: MT24B Atmospheric Physics
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0
Email: r.g.harrison@reading.ac.uk
Type of module:
Summary module description:
Principles underpinning environmental instrumentation and its use in environmental measurement systems
Aims:
This module aims to educate students in the nature of sensors and advanced instrumentation used in environmental measurements and its limitations, as applied to obtaining sophisticated measurements of the natural environment at the surface and in the atmosphere.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students will:
• understand and recognized the elements needed in obtaining environmental measurements, from the sensor to the final data file;
• develop understanding of the basic electronic systems and modules forming a measurement system and the signal conditioning typically required;
• recognise how to an implement appropriate data logging strategy, in terms of sampling rate and resolution, for the measurements sought.
Additional outcomes:
Outline content:
• Introduction to typical environmental sensors generating electrical outputs;
• Signal processing electronics (voltage amplifiers, resistance to voltage convertors, current to voltage convertors, analogue filtering);
• The microcontroller (and microcontroller) as a bespoke programmable system for signal processing, sensor data transfer and data acquisition (especially as referred to radiosonde measurement systems);
• Implementation of an environmental data logging system, including remote power provision, durability, sampling strategy, data transmission and retrieval Data analysis at the data logger stage (mean, median and outlier removal strategies, variability; Fourier analysis).
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Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
10 x 50 minute lectures; 5 x 4 hour laboratory practical sessions developing and deploying elements (2 hours contact time to support this) of a small measurement system.
Ìý | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
Lectures | 10 | ||
Practicals classes and workshops | 22 | ||
Guided independent study: | 68 | ||
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Total hours by term | 100 | ||
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Total hours for module | 100 |
Method | Percentage |
Written assignment including essay | 80 |
Class test administered by School | 20 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Lecture material assessed by class test; Laboratory work assessed by laboratory reports.
Formative assessment methods:
The first week's practical report is used for formative assessment.
Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%.
Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 11 April 2019
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.