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BSEN30570

Academic Year 2024/2025

Numerical Methods for Agriculture O/L (BSEN30570)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Paddy Grace
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

To solve many agricultural technical problems they need to be modelled mathematically. These mathematical models can then be solved sometimes analytically but more often numerical solutions are required. In this module students will learn how to apply numerical methods to solving a range of such problems.
Equation roots: bisection, Newton-Raphson. Optimisation: simplex method, curve fitting. Simultaneous equations: Gaussian elimination, LU decomposition, Gauss-Seidel. Numerical differentiation and Integration: Simpson’s rule. Differential equations: Euler, central difference, Runge-Kutta, finite differences, Crank-Nicolson, stability.
Simulation techniques will also be introduced.
This module will take place over a 7-week period and the final examination will be during the March break.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should have acquired:
• knowledge and understanding of a range of numerical techniques;
• knowledge and understanding of the defects of numerical techniques especially stability and accuracy issues;
• skills and competency in numerically solving a range of problems;
• some insights into simulation techniques.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

21

Computer Aided Lab

12

Specified Learning Activities

40

Autonomous Student Learning

42

Total

115


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
All content of this module will be online except the examination.
Prerecorded lectures will be made available.
Online tutorials and practicals will be arranged with the participants.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End of 7-week trimester examination in March break Week 7 Graded No

70

No
Practical Skills Assessment: A number of practical assignments are carried out throughout the trimester. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 Graded No

30

Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.