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NERC Research Centre Postgraduate Training
Course Programme 2017/18
Version 1.6 (October 2017)
Updates
Course details updated for 2017/18 academic year.
Previous updates
Version 1.5
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology training course added to the programme.
Version 1.4
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology training courses added to the programme.
Dates and course information for Centre for Ecology and Hydrology training courses
updated.
Version 1.3
Updated EOI Form to include a section for student/ECR email address
Clarified details in the application process section.
Version 1.2
Dates for the British Antarctic Survey Impact Training course updated
British Antarctic Survey Airborne Research Facility Training Workshop 2017 added
to the programme.
Dates for National Centre for Earth Observation Data Assimilation in Environmental
Sciences course updated.
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology training courses added to the programme.
Version 1.1
Dates and course information for the National Centre for Earth Observation Field
Spectroscopy Training Course updated.
No. Course
Name
Expected
Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Numbers
Course
Price
Location Page
Number
BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY
1 Impact
Training
14 March
2018
15 - 30 N/A BAS
Cambridge
12
2 Introduction
to ArcGIS
4-6 June
2018
5 - 10 N/A BAS
Cambridge
13
Page 2 of 60
3 NERC
Airborne
Data
Processing
TBC TBC N/A BAS or
PML (TBC)
14
4 Safe and
Effective
Fieldwork in
the Polar
Regions
3 days
theoretical:
22–24 Aug
2018
5 days
practical
(two
groups):
between 25
Aug and 5
Sept.
(provisional)
16 max. £1750 BAS
Cambridge
+ NERC
Arctic
Station,
Ny-Ålesund
15
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
1 Description
and
classification
of rocks and
soils for
engineering
purposes
2-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £450 BGS
Keyworth
20
2 Introduction
to
hydrogeology
4-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £900 BGS
Wallingford
or
Keyworth
21
3 Introduction
to ArcGIS for
geoscientists
3-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £675 BGS
Keyworth
22
4 Introduction
to
GeoVisionary
2-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12 months
2 - 10 £450 BGS
Keyworth
25
5 Introduction
to GoCAD
2-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £450 BGS
Keyworth
26
Page 3 of 60
6 Introduction
to
groundwater
modelling
2-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £450 BGS
Keyworth
27
7 An
introduction
to carbon
capture
and storage
(CCS)
1-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £225 BGS
Keyworth
28
8 Core
description
workshops
2-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £450 BGS
Keyworth
29
9 An
introduction
to petroleum
data
management
2-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £450 BGS
Keyworth
30
10 Seismic
reflection
interpretation
5-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £1125 BGS
Keyworth
29
11 Statistics for
geoscientists:
basic
1-day
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £225 BGS
Keyworth
30
12 Geostatistics 3-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £625 BGS
Keyworth
31
13 Sampling
design and
interpretation
of sampled
data
3-days
duration;
expected to
run in the
next 12
months
2 - 10 £625 BGS
Keyworth
32
CENTRE FOR ECOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY
Page 4 of 60
1 How to
Write Highly
Cited Papers
From
October
2017
25 £150 TBC 35
2 Evidence
Synthesis to
Inform Policy
and Business
Decision-
making
From
November
2017
15 Free CEH sites 36
3 Water, land
and crop
management
at field scale
Autumn/
Winter
2017 (3
days)
20 £499
(students)
CEH
Wallingford
37
4 Catchment
Hydrology.
Water
Management
using the
Integrated
Hydrological
Modelling
System, IHMS
Autumn/
Winter
2017 (3
days)
20 £499
(students)
CEH
Wallingford
38
5 Radiological
protection of
the
environment
Spring 2018 20 - 25 £875 TBC 39
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
1 Introduction
to
Atmospheric
Science
22/01/18 –
26/01/18
20 - 35 Limited
number of
free places
(priority
given to
NERC
students)
£250
(UK/EU
students
attending a
UK
university; students
supervised
by NCAS
staff)
£750
(educational
discounted
University
of Leeds
42
Page 5 of 60
price for
those
students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
£1100 (full
academic
price)
2 Atmospheric
Measurement
Summer
School
14/05/18 –
25/05/18
16 - 24 £775
(UK/EU
students
attending a
UK
university;
students
supervised
by NCAS
staff)
£2250
(educational
discounted price for
those
students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
£3375 (full
academic
price)
Arran,
Scotland
44
3 Unified Model
Training
TBC TBC TBC Reading 46
4 Introduction
to UKCA
08/01/2018
– 12/01/18
20 Free Cambridge 47
5 Introduction
to Scientific
Computing
13/11/17 –
17/11/17
20 - 40 £250
(UK/EU
students
attending a
UK
university;
students
supervised
University
of Leeds
48
Page 6 of 60
by NCAS
staff)
£750
(educational
discounted
price for
those
students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
£1100 (full
academic
price)
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR EARTH OBSERVATION
1 Data
Assimilation in
Environmental Sciences
TBC (5
days)
Max 30 TBC University
of Reading
51
2 Python for
Earth
Observation
TBC (2
days)
Max 15 TBC University
of Reading
52
3 Field
Spectroscopy,
Airborne
Optical
Imaging and
Process Modelling for
Environmental
Science
(fieldwork
course)
This course
is weather-
dependent
and is
usually held
in June.
Max 12 TBC Albacete,
southern
Spain
53
4 Introduction
to Field
Spectroscopy
(classroom
based)
TBC Max 25 Free to UK
registered
academics
(excluding
T&S)
University
of
Edinburgh
54
5 Using the
SNAP toolbox
for processing
Sentinel 1
data
TBC TBC
TBC
University
of Reading
55
6 Data
Management
TBC TBC
TBC
University
of Reading
56
Page 7 of 60
Skills for Earth
Observation
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
NOC courses are currently in development
NERC DATA CENTRES
1 Introduction
to Scientific
Computing
13/11/17 –
17/11/2017
20 - 40 EU
students
attending a
UK
university: £250
Students
supervised
by
members
of NCAS
staff: £250
Educational
discounted
price
(students
and ECRs
not eligible
for
subsidised
rate): £750
Full
academic
price: £1100
NCAS,
University
of Leeds
59
Page 8 of 60
Summary
NERC invites Expressions of Interest from NERC Doctoral Training Grant award holders
and early career researchers within the environmental sciences for training courses to be
delivered by the NERC Research Centres.
Background
The NERC Research Centres are heavily involved in the delivery of NERC science and
provision of training across the NERC remit both and in collaboration with many UK
Higher Education Institutes. Due to their unique position, the Research Centres are ideally
placed to deliver specialist training courses within NERC remit which would be
inappropriate to offer within individual academic institutions that may not have high enough
local interest to justify offering the training, nor the appropriate local expertise to deliver
this training most effectively. In addition, delivering training centrally through the Research
Centres will reduce the overlap in the delivery of specialist training by NERC training
award holders.
It is the intention of this programme to complement the existing training offered by NERC
training award holders by providing courses with a low local but high national interest in
areas that the Research Centres are highly experienced. These courses will be open to all
NERC-funded students and NERC-remit early career researchers (ECRs) and will require
payment to cover the costs associated holding this training.
Eligibility
These courses are open to all NERC-funded students as well as early career researchers
working within NERC remit. To qualify as a NERC student, more than 50% of your total
eligible studentship costs must be supported by NERC funding. If you are unsure if you are
a NERC student, please contact your training grant award holder to discuss this matter.
Expression of Interest (EoI) forms must be submitted by the individual responsible for the
training grant (e.g. the training grant award holder or a student if the grant holder has
delegated responsibility). If, as a NERC student, you are interested in participating in one of
these courses, you should discuss this with your supervisor and training grant award holder
before submitting an EoI form.
Please note, EoI forms do not need to be submitted for each individual student interested
in participating in this training. Submissions can be for groups of students supported from
the same training grant, for example, four students supported by a NERC DTP training
grant. EoI forms are available in ANNEX A.
An early career researcher is defined as an individual working at least 50% within NERC
remit areas and with fewer than 8 years (taking into consideration career breaks, etc.)
Page 9 of 60
postdoctoral experience. ECRs can submit forms on their own behalf. Only one ECR may
be included on each form.
Application Process
Expression of Interest forms must be completed as stated on the pro forma and
must be received by the relevant NERC Research Centre by the date requested for
each course. These dates can be found in the relevant course information section.
If a course does not receive enough interest for it to be held, all those who
submitted an EoI form will be informed.
Should a course receive enough EoIs to be held, the training grant holder and
applicants will be contacted and asked to pay a deposit which will be used to
develop the course content. A deposit should be paid for each student/ECR wishing
to undertake the training and payment made within TWO WEEKS of course
confirmation. These deposits are non-refundable should an applicant no longer
wish/be able to undertake the training. Applicants will only be refunded this deposit
should the Research Centre no longer be able to hold the training course.
The remaining balance for each course must then be paid by the date indicated by
the Research Centre within their confirmation notice to attendees ahead of the
training course taking place. These dates are specific to each course and are
included within the course information. Applicants will not be permitted to
undertake the training if this outstanding balance has not been paid to the Research
Centre delivering the training and the deposit will not be returned in the event of
non-payment of final balance.
Should a Research Centre receive more EoIs than available places they will look to
expand the course if possible so that all interested students and ECRs may attend.
Should this not be possible, the Research Centres will offer places at their
discretion.
Payment Details
Payment detail for deposits and final balances will be provided to applicants by the relevant
Research Centre when it is confirmed that a course has received enough interest to be held.
Should you have any queries regarding payment, please contact the relevant Research Centre
contact.
Unless otherwise stated, Travel and Subsistence costs will not be included in the course costs
so this should be considered when preparing an application.
Page 10 of 60
Available Courses
Information concerning the available courses, their planned dates, course content, and
minimum and maximum numbers are appended to this document.
The list of available courses will be refreshed by October each year. Minor changes to courses
available will be noted in the version information found at the beginning of this document.
At the time of writing, courses are still under development for the National Oceanography
Centre (NOC) but we intend to make these available in due course.
Contacts
For queries regarding courses delivered by the Research Centres and payment, please contact
the Research Centre delivering the training. These details are included within the course
information below.
For general enquiries regarding NERC training please contact:
NERC Research Careers
Email: [email protected]
Page 11 of 60
Please email all Expression of Interest forms to [email protected] by the dates indicated. Any
queries regarding these courses should be sent to [email protected].
Available Courses Summary:
No. Course
Name
Expected
Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Numbers
EoI
Date
Deposit Course
Price
Location
1 Impact
Training
14 March
2018
15 - 30 TBC N/A N/A BAS
Cambridge
2 Introduction
to ArcGIS
4-6 June
2018
5 - 10 TBC N/A N/A BAS
Cambridge
3 NERC
Airborne
Data
Processing
TBC TBC TBC N/A N/A BAS or PML
(TBC)
4 Safe and
Effective
Fieldwork in
the Polar
Regions
3 days
theoretical:
22–24 Aug
2018
5 days
practical
(two
groups):
between 25
Aug and 5
Sept.
(provisional)
16 max. 8 Jan
2018
N/A £1750 BAS
Cambridge
+ NERC
Arctic
Station, Ny-
Ålesund
Page 12 of 60
BAS Course Information
1. Impact Training
Key dates: 14 March 2018
Location: BAS Cambridge
Course description: A one-day introduction course for PhD students and Early Career
Researchers exploring ways to embed impact into research. The course looks to identify
stakeholders with in-depth sessions on using social media to achieve impact, working with
policy makers, and designing workshops with the likely users of their research.
With an increasing need for researchers to share their knowledge and generate awareness
of their research with stakeholders and the wider community, the course aims to help
participants to understand what knowledge exchange is, and develop their own way in
which to make an impact.
Page 13 of 60
2. Introduction to ArcGIS
Key dates: 4-6 June 2018
Location: BAS Cambridge
Course description: A three-day introduction course for PhD Students and Early Career
Researchers to teach the basics of desktop GIS including mapping, analysis and editing using
ESRI’s ARCmap and ARCscene software with an emphasis on the use of GIS and geospatial
data for environmental sciences.
Page 14 of 60
3. NERC Airborne Data Processing
Key dates: TBC
Location: TBC
Intended audience: Further details to follow
Course objectives: Further details to follow
Course description: Further details to follow
Page 15 of 60
4. Safe and Effective Fieldwork in the Polar Regions
Key dates: 22 August to 5 September 2018:
All participants training in Cambridge: 22 – 24 Aug. 2018
Group 1 Fieldwork: 25 Aug – 1 Sept. 2018
Group 2 Fieldwork: 1 – 5 Sept. 2018
Location: BAS Cambridge + NERC Arctic Station, Ny-Ålesund
Course description: Do you know the science theory but are unsure of how to apply it on the ice? Then this
training course could be just for you! Here's a unique chance for PhD students and Early
Career Researchers to gain practical skills of working safely and effectively in the polar
regions. Using leading polar experts, participants will learn how to translate exciting
scientific ideas into safe, achievable and effective field plans. The course consists of three
days theoretical and practical work at BAS, Cambridge and five days of practical training
exercises on the ice and at sea in the Arctic.
You’ll be working with some of the UK’s leading Scientists and Operations
Managers and looking at all aspects of polar science, including:
Fieldwork planning in remote regions: how to develop a comprehensive, achievable
field plan; legal, political and environmental obligations; risk assessment; shipping
equipment; financial planning and budgeting. BAS Operations Managers will give
practical examples of project planning from their extensive experience in both polar
regions.
Remote sensing options and use of topographical maps: use of a GPS and GIS; aerial
photographs and satellite images. Members of the BAS Mapping and Geographic
Information Centre (MAGIC) will demonstrate some of the latest state of the art
techniques.
A series of tasks and practical exercises to help you develop your skills in polar
leadership, practical planning and how to work efficiently in remote regions. Can you
think on your feet and lead a small team? Can you change a field programme at short
notice in challenging weather conditions?
The skills learnt in Cambridge will be transferred into a full five days of active fieldwork
(weather permitting) at the NERC Arctic Station in Ny-Ålesund. You will work on the
Midrelovenbreen Glacier and carry out a radar survey of ice structure. But these skills will
apply equally to many types of glaciological fieldwork. Similarly, you will work on offshore
biological sampling but develop general skills in small boat survey work. You’ll be asked to
help plan each day and take turns at leading the team.
This course is for PhD and ECRs registered with a UK academic institution. NERC-funded
Doctoral Training Partnership students are particularly encouraged to apply, but other UK
based RCUK PhD students and ECRs may also apply.
Numbers will be strictly limited to 16 participants with the Arctic field component being run
with two consecutive teams of eight.
The cost of the course will be approximately £1750 per person. Some possible funding
sources are listed below.
Page 16 of 60
Expressions of interest must be submitted no later than 8 January 2018 to Ali Teague
confirming:
you are a UK-registered PhD student or ECR working in a sector aligned to NERC’s Science remit (see http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/portfolio/remit/ )
your institute will provide Arctic travel and Arctic fieldwork insurance
you have a current passport valid until at least 31 January 2019
you are able to attend the course between 22 August—5 September 2018
you will be able to raise the costs of ~£1750.
You will then be invited to:
complete an application form
submit a full CV
provide an email from your home institute supervisor or departmental manager confirming their support and that you are covered by insurance for Arctic travel and
Arctic fieldwork.
Potential funding sources:
Antarctic Science International Bursary (Closing date: 16 March 2018)
Trans-Antarctic Association Grants (Closing date: 31 January 2018)
CLIVAR travel grants
Royal Society of Chemistry Travel Grants for PhD Students and Early Career
Scientists
Other Travel and Small Grants
Page 17 of 60
Please email all Expression of Interest forms to [email protected] by the dates indicated. Any
queries regarding these courses should be sent to [email protected].
Available Courses Summary:
No
.
Course
Name
Expecte
d Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Number
s
EoI
Dat
e
Deposi
t
Cours
e Price
Location
1 Description
and
classification
of rocks and
soils for
engineering
purposes
2-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £450 BGS
Keyworth
or
Edinburgh
2 Introduction
to
hydrogeology
4-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £900 BGS
Wallingford
, Keyworth
or
Edinburgh
3 Introduction
to ArcGIS
for
geoscientists
3-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £675 BGS
Keyworth
or
Edinburgh
4 Introduction
to
GeoVisionary
2-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £450 BGS
Keyworth
or
Edinburgh
5 Introduction
to GoCAD
2-days
duration;
expected
2 -10 TBC N/A £450 BGS
Keyworth
Page 18 of 60
to run in
the next
12
months
or
Edinburgh
6 Introduction
to
groundwater
modelling
2-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £450 BGS
Keyworth
or
Edinburgh
7 An
introduction
to carbon
capture
and storage
(CCS)
1-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £225 BGS
Keyworth
or
Edinburgh
8 Core
description
workshops
2-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £450 BGS
Keyworth
9 An
introduction
to petroleum
data
management
2-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £450 BGS
Keyworth
10 Seismic
reflection
interpretatio
n
5-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £1125 BGS
Keyworth
11 Statistics for
geoscientists:
basic
1-day
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £225 BGS
Keyworth
12 Geostatistics 3-days
duration;
expected
2 -10 TBC N/A £625 BGS
Keyworth
Page 19 of 60
to run in
the next
12
months
13 Sampling
design and
interpretatio
n of sampled
data
3-days
duration;
expected
to run in
the next
12
months
2 -10 TBC N/A £625 BGS
Keyworth
Page 20 of 60
BGS Course Information
1. Description and classification of rocks and soils for engineering
purposes
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: All geoscientists who deal with or are likely to be involved with the
geological aspects of civil engineering and engineering geology; in particular field geologists
and those who describe earth materials.
Course objectives:
To introduce the subject of engineering geology.
To explain how earth materials are described and classified for engineering purposes
and outline how this information is used.
To enable geologists and others to include information focused to the needs of the
engineering geologist/civil engineer industry in geological reports.
Course description: This introductory course provides an understanding of how earth
materials are described and classified for engineering purposes. It is based on the recently
revised BS5930:1999 + A2:2010 — Code of Practice for Site Investigation.
The course covers the following main topics:
What is an engineering soil?
What is an engineering rock?
Soil description and classification.
Rock description and classification.
Description of discontinuities.
Rock mass classification.
Weathering.
Delivery mode: The course is mainly classroom-based but includes some laboratory and
core description work.
Page 21 of 60
2. Introduction to hydrogeology
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Wallingford, Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: Geologists, environmental scientists and others needing to gain an
understanding of the key principles of hydrogeology. The course assumes little or no
previous experience of groundwater, and would be suitable for professionals working in
industry and academia, as well as post-graduate students.
Course objectives:
To give participants:
A grounding in the principles of hydrogeology.
An ability to make sound hydrogeological decisions including when to call in a
specialist hydrogeologist.
Course description: This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of
hydrogeology covering both the water resource and quality aspects of the subject. The
following topics are covered:
Water—an introduction to the resource.
The hydrological cycle.
Fundamental aquifer concepts.
Aquifer flow.
Aquifer protection.
Groundwater occurrence.
Groundwater exploration.
Pumping tests.
Groundwater contamination.
Groundwater quality.
Groundwater modelling.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 22 of 60
3. Introduction to ArcGIS for geoscientists
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: Geoscientists who have not used or are not confident in using GIS. A
basic knowledge of Windows is assumed.
Course objectives:
To introduce new users to the principles of GIS and ArcGIS Desktop software.
To ensure users fully appreciate the capabilities of ArcGIS Desktop and how the
software may help them carry out their own work.
To ensure that users become familiar with the software and feel confident to pursue
it further.
Course description: The course will introduce the general concepts of GIS followed by
training in the three components of ArcGIS: ArcCatalog, ArcMap and ArcToolbox. The
course aims to allow beginners to use ArcGIS with confidence to view, manipulate, analyse
and produce maps from a range of spatial data.
ArcGIS is a geographic information system software suite produced by Esri. ArcGIS
applications can include:
ArcReader which allows the user to view and query maps created with Arc
products.
ArcView which allows the user to view spatial data, create layered maps, and
perform basic spatial analysis.
ArcEditor which in addition to the functionality of ArcView, includes more advanced
tools for manipulation of shapefiles and geodatabases.
ArcInfo which includes capabilities for data manipulation, editing, and analysis.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 23 of 60
4. Introduction to GeoVisionary*
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: Geoscientists, environmental scientists and engineers who need to
learn how to use the GeoVisionary 3D visualisation package for virtual field reconnaissance.
Course objectives:
To familiarise participants with the GeoVisionary software and data conversion tools.
To introduce participants to the GeoVisionary—ArcGIS dynamic link tools.
To ensure that participants appreciate the capabilities of GeoVisionary and how the
system may help them carry out their work.
Course description: The course introduces the new user to all aspects of GeoVisionary
and the VSI Converter, and is taught via a combination of tutor presentations and hands-on
exercises.
*GeoVisionary is the result of a collaboration between Virtalis and the British Geological
Survey. Combining a powerful data engine with a virtual geological toolkit enables
geoscientists to visualise, interpret and share large datasets seamlessly in an immersive, real
time environment. GeoVisionary software works on office-based workstations as well as on
laptops used by geologists in the field. Virtually any spatially related data can be visualised
within the system, including digital elevation data and remote sensed images such as Landsat
or aerial photography.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 24 of 60
5. Introduction to GeoCAD*
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: Geoscientists needing to use the GoCAD 3D geological modelling
software. The course does not assume any prior knowledge of the software and so begins
from an introductory level, though some familiarity with 3D modelling concepts prior to the
course would be useful.
Course objectives:
To provide an introduction to the GoCAD 3D geological modelling package.
To familiarise participants with the different GoCAD objects.
To enable participants to use GoCAD to model surfaces and faults.
Course description: The course is delivered by means of tutor presentations and on-
screen demonstrations supported by practical exercises and a course manual.
*GoCAD stands for 'Geologic Computer Aided Design'. It is a program specifically written
by a consortium for the oil and gas industry. The software marketed by Paradigm
Geophysical enables interactive 3D geologic modelling of the geometry and properties of
complex subsurface objects; it may be used for surface extending to subsurface geological
mapping, geophysics and reservoir engineering. GOCAD utilises standardised data formats
to facilitate the easy exchange of digital data from a variety of sources.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 25 of 60
6. Introduction to groundwater modelling
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: Hydrogeologists and groundwater professionals wishing to gain an
understanding of the principles of groundwater flow modelling.
Course objectives:
To introduce attendees to the use of groundwater flow modelling and its application
to aid the understanding of groundwater systems.
To help attendees become competent in routinely using recharge, water balance and
groundwater flow models to aid the understanding of groundwater systems.
Course description: An introduction to all aspects of groundwater flow modelling from
recharge modelling, the creation of a water balance through to setting up and running a
groundwater flow model. The course includes:
Conceptual models.
Recharge.
Urban processes.
Agriculture losses.
Run-off.
Water balances.
Model development.
Numerical techniques.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 26 of 60
7. An introduction to carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth or Edinburgh
Intended audience: The course is particularly recommended for consultancies, regulators,
power and energy companies with an interest in carbon capture and storage (CCS). This
course will also benefit anyone with a geological background interested in learning how their
skills can be applied to the expanding research field of CCS. The course can be adapted to
suit the background and level of geological knowledge of the attendees.
Course objectives:
To introduce the concept of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and its potential
contribution reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
To provide participants with an understanding of what makes a good site for storage
and the mechanisms for trapping CO2 underground.
To provide participants with an awareness of the tools and methodologies used for
assessing the suitability of sites for underground storage of CO2.
To provide participants with an awareness of how CO2 may be monitored in the
subsurface.
To outline the potential risks of CO2 storage and potential mitigation strategies.
Course description: The course will be delivered as a series of lectures, exercises and
case studies. The emphasis of the course is to give an overview of CCS with the focus on
geological storage of CO2, using real case studies and cutting edge research results. The
lectures will introduce real geological examples of potential and existing CO2 storage sites.
The exercises will guide the trainees through essential aspects of assessing CO2 storage.
potential of geological sites.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 27 of 60
8. Core description workshops
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth
Intended audience: Geoscientists and engineers needing to describe and interpret core
material obtained from boreholes and hydrocarbon wells. The course can be run either
using an established format, or on a bespoke basis using material and content relevant to the
hydrocarbons, mining and other industry sectors.
Course objectives:
To gain an understanding of the principles of sedimentological core logging.
To gain practical experience of core logging techniques under guidance of BGS
experts.
To understand how core logging data are integrated with other relevant data.
Course description: The course can be provided using pre-prepared examples from the
Carboniferous and Jurassic of the UK and with a bias towards understanding relevant
hydrocarbon reservoir analogues in the North Sea Basin. Alternatively the course can be
delivered on a bespoke basis, where the content is tailored to a stratigraphic interval or
locality specified by the customer, and for which BGS holds suitable core material.
The course covers the principles of sedimentological core logging and description, and can
also be customised to include other relevant information, for example sequence
stratigraphic concepts, or biostratigraphic data from the intervals being analysed. The course
makes extensive use of the core material plus state of the art examination and description
facilities of the National Geoscience Data Centre core store at BGS Keyworth.
Delivery mode: The course emphasis is on practical exercises providing the attendee with
experience of describing and logging core, supported by relevant presentations on the
geological background and methods used.
Page 28 of 60
9. An introduction to petroleum data management
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth
Intended audience: The course is aimed at geoscientists, data managers and support staff
needing to gain an understanding of the principles and practices relevant to the management
of petroleum geoscience data.
Course objectives:
To provide participants with an understanding of management issues pertinent to the
main types of data utilised in petroleum geoscience.
To provide an awareness of current practices for the storage and management of
such data, including relevant ISO standards.
To provide an insight into the systems and strategies used by the BGS.
Course description: This course will outline the key data management issues associated
with the main types of geoscience data utilised in petroleum exploration, including (for
example) records management policies, the capture of appropriate metadata, and digital
preservation issues. The two day course will also describe the petroleum data management
strategies employed by the BGS, and will include practical demonstrations within the
National Geoscience Data Centre (covering for example the use of digital databases and
conservation of core material).
Delivery mode: Classroom based course, with opportunities to view the data
management activities of the national geoscience data centre first hand.
Page 29 of 60
10. Seismic reflection interpretation
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth
Intended audience: Geologists who wish or need to become acquainted with the seismic
reflection method.
Course objectives:
To enable participants to:
Have a working knowledge of the principles behind the method, and of the
associated terminology.
Know how to transfer geology from borehole logs to seismic sections.
Be able to recognise and interpret a variety of structural and stratigraphic features
and to distinguish between geological features and geophysical artefacts.
Be able to interpret a grid of seismic data, incorporating other surface and
subsurface data, to produce a structural map of a given stratigraphic level.
Course description: The emphasis is on giving participants 'hands on' experience via a
series of practical exercises that increase in complexity as the course progresses. This is
combined with formal instruction.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 30 of 60
11. Statistics for geoscientists: basic
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth
Intended audience: Geoscientists who routinely work on the interpretation of data sets
and wish to gain a basic knowledge of statistics or who would like to refresh their
knowledge in this area. Participants should be familiar with Excel and ideally, have some
knowledge of S-plus.
Course objectives:
To enable participants to:
Explain, calculate and interpret descriptive statistics including: basic terminology,
frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, and
the normal distribution.
Read and analyse basic charts and graphs and other basic data summaries.
Explain, calculate, and interpret basic inferential statistics including probability, and
basic hypothesis tests.
Identify and apply the correct statistical technique to the research question.
Use a combination of Microsoft Excel and S-Plus software to compute descriptive
and inferential statistics and produce appropriate summary plots.
Course description:
Why do we need statistics?
Types of data.
Populations and samples.
Describing univariate data—central tendency, spread, shape of univariate
distributions, displaying univariate information, data distributions and probability
density functions.
Describing bivariate data—correlation and regression.
Significance testing—steps involved in a hypothesis test, t-tests, analysis of variance,
significance test.
Non-parametric tests—bootstrap resampling.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 31 of 60
12. Geostatistics
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth
Intended audience: Geoscientists who need to know how geostatistics can help with the
analysis and interpretation of spatially distributed scientific data.
Course objectives:
To provide an understanding of regionalised variable theory as the basis for
geostatistics. Course description
The course provides practical experience of using the statistical environment and
packages in R* for exploratory analysis variogram estimation and modelling and
optimal estimation of sample values at unsampled sites using kriging.
Geostatistical theory sufficient for the course content.
Exploratory data analysis—descriptive statistics, transformations, presence of trend,
removal of trend.
Variogram estimation.
Variogram modelling.
Kriging—punctual and block.
Cross-variograms and co-kriging, universal kriging.
Pointers for more advanced work.
The course will include examples based on real data using packages from the open
source R environment (sp, gstat) for spatial prediction and mapping.
*R is a programming language and software environment for statistical computing and
graphics. The R language has become a de facto standard among statisticians for the
development of statistical software, and is widely used for statistical software development
and data analysis.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Page 32 of 60
13. Sampling design and interpretation of sampled data
Key Dates: TBC
Location: BGS Keyworth
Intended audience: Geoscientists who need to understand the principles and pitfalls of
designing sampling programmes and/or interpreting sampled data.
Course objectives:
After completing the course, the participants should:
understand the key theoretical and practical principles of design-based sampling,
exemplified by simple random sampling and stratified random sampling, and analysis
of the resulting data to construct estimated means and their confidence intervals;
be aware of some of the refinements available to improve the precision of design-
based estimates, specifically the use of regression estimators and ranked set
sampling;
be aware of design-based methods such as multistage, clustered and nested sampling;
understand the distinction between model-based and design-based sampling, and the
circumstances in which one might be chosen rather than another;
be aware of how to analyse data by model-based methods to estimate regional
means;
be aware of how design- and model-based sampling can be combined for monitoring
spatial processes over time;
understand how decisions on sample size requirements are made in design- and
model based sampling.
Course description: The aim of this course is to familiarize the participants with the basic
issues that arise when sampling spatial variables, and analysing the data that are obtained.
After the course participants should be able to implement some standard design-based
sampling methods and to undertake model-based analysis of systematically sampled data.
Most importantly they should be aware of some of the pitfalls in sampling design and the
analysis of legacy data collected in different ways, and know when to ask for statistical input.
Delivery mode: Classroom-based course
Please see the CEH Training Courses webpage for course content and registration details.
Any queries regarding these courses should be sent to Dr Ingo Schüder at [email protected].
Available Courses Summary:
No
.
Course
Name
Expecte
d
Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Number
s
EoI
Date
Deposi
t
Course
Price
Location
1 How to
Write
Highly
Cited
Papers
From
October
2017
25 Registe
r
Interest
HERE
N/A £150 TBC
2 Evidence
Synthesis to
inform
policy and
business
decision-making
From
Novembe
r 2017
15 Sign Up
HERE
N/A Free CEH sites
3 Water, land
and crop
managemen
t at field scale
Autumn/
Winter
2017 (3
days)
20 Registe
r
Interest
HERE
N/A £499
(students
)
CEH
Wallingfor
d
4 Catchment
Hydrology.
Water
Management using the
Integrated
Hydrologica
l Modelling
System,
IHMS
Autumn/
Winter
2017 (3
days)
20 Registe
r
Interest
HERE
N/A £499
(students
)
CEH
Wallingfor
d
5 Radiological
protection
Spring
2018
20-25 Registe
r
N/A £875 TBC
Page 34 of 60
of the
environmen
t
interest
HERE
Page 35 of 60
CEH Course Information:
1. How to Write Highly Cited Papers
Key Dates: October 2017
Location: TBC
Course description:
This interactive half-day workshop will boost your confidence and ability to write a great
science paper that will be cited again and again.
This workshop focusses on getting high citations. The workshop will study the following
using group and individual exercises:
How to write a good title
How to write a good abstract
Thinking about your audience
Maintaining a narrative thread and not submerging your audience in too many
messages
Finding a transparent scientific language
Marshalling your argument
Using figures
Ending in a clean conclusion
Social media and other forms of promotion
For more information visit the course information page
To register your interest please use the CEH online form.
Page 36 of 60
2. Evidence Synthesis to inform policy and business decision-
making
Key Dates: November 2017
Location: CEH sites
Course description:
Evidence reviews (ERs) are increasingly being used to inform environmental research and
set environmental policy in government and inform decision-making in business. ER skills
include: statistics and data management, inter alia review types and methods, the nature and
application of different synthesis methodologies within different evidence contexts, policy
research, and evidence synthesis, mapping and meta-analysis. These skills are furthermore
valuable for realising research for PhD students and Early Career Researchers and being
increasingly requested by employers as desirable.
This free training will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to carry out an Evidence
Review Synthesis for an area of Natural Environment research of your personal interest.
The course has the following learning outcomes;
Establish understanding of the principles of evidence review, identifying the
distinction between traditional and ERs, enabling trainees to undertake ERs and
understand the value for science-policy/business interfaces.
Gain skills in different methods for undertaking an evidence review
Acquire transferable skills in the field of environmental science.
For more information visit the course information page
To register your interest please use the CEH online form.
Page 37 of 60
3. Water, Land and Crop Management
Key Dates: Autumn/Winter 2017 (please note: this will only run subject to sufficient
registration of interest)
Location: CEH Wallingford
Course description: This course may be of particular interest to learners from overseas
countries experiencing significant challenges with water management and irrigation.
The course covers the following:
1. Water and solute transport
2. Nitrogen fertilizers management
3. Irrigation and Drainage systems and management
4. Crop growth and yield
5. Estimating crop water requirement
6. Soil moisture, soil nitrogen and salinity status
7. Impact of climate change on yield and the length of crop growth season
8. Crop rotations including non-conventional crops
9. Approaches to improve water use efficiency and water productivity
The participants will gain modelling and field management skills & knowledge by using data of
field experiments and the model. This course offers a unique integrated management
approach to improve water use efficiency, water productivity and food security.
Course objectives:
1. To bring the recent advances in water, soil and crop management to the participant
2. To demonstrates the benefit of modelling as a tool for management under current
and future scenarios
3. To offer a chance to participants to run field scale model using existing or own data
For more information please visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the CEH online form.
Page 38 of 60
4. Catchment Hydrology. Water Management using the
Integrated Hydrological Modelling System, IHMS
Key Dates: Autumn/Winter 2017 (please note: this will only run subject to sufficient
registration of interest)
Location: CEH Wallingford
Course description: The course covers the following:
1. Water cycle within the catchment:
o Evaporation
o Runoff
o Infiltration and recharge of the groundwater
o Stream flow
o Soil moisture status
2. Addressing the heterogeneity at grid square level (obtaining the representative
effective parameters of soil and vegetation for the hydrological processes)
3. Impact of climate and land use changes on water resources availability.
4. Identifying the gap between supply and demand.
5. Using the wetness Index and other new parameters as drought indicators
The participants will gain modelling and catchment water management by using data of
studied catchments and the model.
In addition to the explanation of the hydrological processes operating in the hydrological
cycle, the course offers insight into the physically based distributed models and will focus on
the practical aspect of the impact of land use and climate changes, identifying extreme
events such as drought and flooding periods and quantifying the gap between the water
supply and demand to enable decision making.
Course objectives:
1. Gain better understanding of the water cycle components
2. Gain better understanding of hydrological processes operating at catchment scale
using physically based modelling approach
3. Be able to quantify the available water resources
4. Be able to investigate the future impact of climate change as well as the change in
land use on water resources availability
5. Be able to develop better approaches for water resources management through the
knowledge gained in the course
For more information please visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the CEH online form.
Page 39 of 60
5. Radiological Protection of the Environment
Key Dates: Spring 2018
Location: TBC
Course description:
This course covers a number of aspects of environmental (non-human biota) radiological assessment,
including the ERICA tool, radionuclide transfer, dosimetry, effects, benchmarks, dispersion and how
to model atmospheric noble gases.
The course objectives are to ensure participants:
1. Are conversant with assessment objectives;
2. Have a basic understanding of radionuclide transfer, dosimetry and radiation effects;
3. Know how to use available tools;
4. Can interpret the results;
5. Understand the implications of how the tools are used;
6. Are up to date with advances in the field.
For more information visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the CEH online form.
Page 40 of 60
Instead of using the Expression of Interest form, please apply for the NCAS courses via the
NCAS website. Any queries regarding these courses should be sent to [email protected].
Available Courses Summary:
No. Course
Name
Expecte
d Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Numbers
EoI
Date
Non-
refundable
admin fee
Course
Price
Location
1 Introduction
to
Atmospheric
Science
22/01/18 –
26/01/18
20-35 10 Nov
2017
£50 Limited
number of
free places
(priority
given to NERC
students)
£250
(students)
£750 (those
students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
£1100 (full
academic
price)
University
of Leeds
2 Atmospheric
Measurement
Summer
School
14/05/18 –
25/05/18
16-24 2 Feb
2018
£50 £775
(students)
£2250
(students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
Arran,
Scotland
Page 41 of 60
£3375 (full
academic
price)
3 Unified
Model
Training
TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC Reading
4 Introduction
to UKCA
08/01/201
8 –
12/01/18
20 TBC N/A Free Cambridge
5 Introduction
to Scientific
Computing
13/11/17 –
17/11/17
20 - 40 TBC £50 £250
(students)
£750
(students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
£1100 (full
academic
price)
University
of Leeds
Page 42 of 60
NCAS Course Information:
1. Introduction to Atmospheric Science
Key Dates: 22/01/18-26/01/18
Location: University of Leeds
Overview:
The goal of the “School in Atmospheric Measurement” is to teach students the theoretical
and practical skills needed to design, plan and execute fieldwork activities; make
observations of the atmosphere, including the deployment of sensors and instruments;
collect and monitor data, interpreting the information collected and applying the results to
real atmospheric problems. The school is taught with staff from NCAS, BAS and universities
who are experts in observational atmospheric science. The course offers an opportunity for
NERC-funded PhD students and early career researchers to gain a broad practical and
theoretical understanding of atmospheric measurement and data analysis.
The Summer School will be held in two parts. The first provides students with the
theoretical background they need to successfully design and interpret experiments in the
field. Due to their undergraduate background, PhD students are often missing key
understanding of processes which are important when designing field experiments. For
example chemists or physicists may have a good understanding of their fundamental science
but have no background at all in fundamental meteorology or atmospheric composition
science which is essential for planning an atmospheric field programme. This part of the
course is designed to bring this understanding to a baseline level.
Rationale:
NERC PhD students in atmospheric science are often drawn from Chemistry/Physics/Maths
backgrounds. They may have significant skills and knowledge in their background discipline
and in the related laboratory science but are often very weak in the field-work skills central
to atmospheric science and thus NERC science.
For nine years NCAS has led a school in atmospheric field measurements to provide PhD
students in atmospheric science with those skills which are typically absent after their
undergraduate programmes. The experience NCAS staff have in running this successful
programme places us as the organisation best able to deliver training which will fill the skills
gap students have.
Impact:
Students attending the Introduction to Atmospheric Science will have an enhanced
background understanding of underpinning atmospheric science. This will enhance their
ability to conduct their PhD, improve the quality of their research and deliver enhanced
scientific outputs. This will thus improve the employability of the students.
Page 43 of 60
Attendance on the school produces motivated and skilled students who have developed a
cohesive and robust cohort of peers. We know that the students have kept in touch both
scientifically and socially for years after the field course. These PhD students are then better
able to work effectively in teams and produce meaningful data of value to their project.
These ‘soft skills’ are all highly regarded and requested by industry.
For more information, please visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the NCAS online form.
Please note: Attendance on the Introduction to Atmospheric Science Course is a pre-
requisite for attendance on the Atmospheric Measurement Summer School.
Page 44 of 60
2. Atmospheric Measurement Summer School
Key Dates: 14/05/18-25/05/18
Location: Arran Outdoor Centre, Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland, UK
Overview:
The goal of the “School in Atmospheric Measurement” is to teach students the theoretical
and practical skills needed to design, plan and execute fieldwork activities; make
observations of the atmosphere, including the deployment of sensors and instruments;
collect and monitor data, interpreting the information collected and applying the results to
real atmospheric problems. The school is taught with staff from NCAS, BAS and universities
who are experts in observational atmospheric science. The course offers an opportunity for
NERC funded PhD students and early career researchers to gain a broad practical and
theoretical understanding of atmospheric measurement and data analysis.
The Summer School will be held in two parts.
The second part of the course is held at the Arran Outdoor Education Centre; here
students carry out various field measurement activities where they learn the basic skills for a
successful measurement programme: practical weather forecasting, error analysis,
instrument design, experimental design, computer interfacing, parameterisation
development and data processing.
Rationale:
NERC PhD students in atmospheric science are often drawn from Chemistry/Physics/Maths
backgrounds. They may have significant skills and knowledge in their background discipline
and in the related laboratory science but are often very weak in the field-work skills central
to atmospheric science and thus NERC science.
For nine years NCAS has led a school in atmospheric field measurements to provide PhD
students in atmospheric science with those skills which are typically absent after their
undergraduate programmes. The experience NCAS staff have in running this successful
programme places us as the organisation best able to deliver training which will fill the skills
gap students have.
Impact:
Students attending the Atmospheric Measurement School will have a good basic
understanding of how field experiments are designed, implemented and analysed together
with an enhanced background understanding of underpinning atmospheric science. This will
enhance their ability to conduct their PhD, improve the quality of their research and deliver
enhanced scientific outputs. This will thus improve the employability of the students.
Page 45 of 60
Attendance on the school produces motivated and skilled students who have developed a
cohesive and robust cohort of peers through working closely on the practical projects. We
know that the students have kept in touch both scientifically and socially for years after the
field course. These PhD students are then better able to work effectively in teams on their
fieldwork and produce meaningful data of value to their project. These ‘soft skills’ are all
highly regarded and requested by industry.
For more information, please visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the NCAS online form.
Page 46 of 60
3. Unified Model Training
Key Dates: TBC
Location: Reading
Overview:
This course introduces new users to the Met Office Unified Model systems and provides
practical experience of setting up and running experiments. UM software management
system, file formats, utilities, and configurations are discussed. Users will be led through a
series of exercises designed to encourage best practice in scientific exploitation and HPC
resource management of the UM.
The Met Office Unified Model is the model used for weather and climate prediction at the
Met Office and also at other forecasting centres worldwide.
For an indication of course content, please see this year’s course information page.
If you would like to be contacted when applications open for the next course please add
your name to the waiting list.
Page 47 of 60
4. Introduction to UKCA
Key Dates: 08/01/18-12/01/18
Location: Cambridge
Overview:
The United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosols (UKCA) model is a community composition-
climate model within the Met Office Unified Model, and is a core component of the joint
NERC - Met Office UK Earth System Model (UKESM1), currently in development. UKCA
contains state-of-the-art schemes for tropospheric, stratospheric, and whole-atmosphere
chemistry together with the GLOMAP aerosol microphysics scheme.
Usage of UKCA is growing year-on-year, with over 65 people attending the three UKCA
training courses over the last 2.5 years. There are also a large number of PhD and NERC
funded projects using UKCA at several UK Universities (e.g. Cambridge, Leeds, Oxford,
Exeter, Reading, Edinburgh, UEA).
UKCA is now well established as the research tool of choice for composition-climate
studies in UK Universities. The training offered by this proposal will ensure that the future
users of UKCA will have a firm foundation in both the theory behind UKCA, and
experience in both using the standard chemistry and aerosol options and expanding the
model schemes for their own research purposes.
The UKCA Theory and Practice workshop will involve lectures from members of the
UKCA development team and a series of practical sessions where users learn to use the
model on the national HPC resource (ARCHER). In addition to these components the
course will also cover experiment design, with a focus on experiments with UKCA
pertinent to the Earth System. The course will ensure that users have a good understanding
of the modelling approaches used in each of the key components of UKCA.
The course will run for 5 full days, with a provisional date for the course being January 2017
(although this is subject to change). The combination of lectures, hands on practical sessions
and experiment design will mean that after completing the course the students will be
confident to use and adapt UKCA for their planned research.
UKCA is also a core component of UKESM1, the joint NERC - Met Office Earth system
model (ESM) that is currently being developed. While this training workshop will be a stand-
alone introduction to the UKCA model, we will also liaise with the organisers of other
NERC ATSC-funded courses which cover the other ESM components to ensure that
potential users of UKESM1 will be able to attend all the courses that they require to give
them the most complete training possible.
For more information, please visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the NCAS online form.
Page 48 of 60
5. Introduction to Scientific Computing
Key Dates: 13/11/17-17/11/17
Location: University of Leeds
Overview:
The “Introduction to Scientific Computing” course will provide PhD students and early
career researchers with the essential skills for working with scientific data and automating
tasks equipping students with fundamental knowledge and skills to allow them to start using
computers for cutting-edge environmental science research. The five day course will be run
in October/November 2015. The programme covers basic Linux and Python programming,
manipulating/visualising large numeric arrays, software and formats relevant to the
environmental sciences and hands-on experience of reading sensor data. The course
programme consists of 5 key components:
1. Introduction to the Linux Shell – basic commands and task automation in Linux.
2. Introduction to Python Programming – basics of programming languages, variables,
commands, syntax, functions, modularisation and re-use of code.
3. Tools and formats in environmental science – introducing common tools and formats.
4. Manipulating and visualising large numeric arrays – tools for working with arrays.
5. Reading instrumental data – a hands-on activity working with a simple sensor.
Rationale:
NERC PhD students are often drawn from Chemistry/Physics/Maths backgrounds. They may
have significant skills and knowledge in their background discipline and in the related
laboratory science but are often very weak in the skills needs to manipulate and analyse
scientific data. Researchers often resort to using spreadsheet packages to conduct their
analysis which results in a lack of repeatability of analyses. By providing students with the
skills to use Linux and Python at the start of their research careers they will be better able
to manage and handle their data in a robust manner.
The course will be delivered by NCAS staff with a broad range of relevant experience as
experts in their fields of data management, software development and system management.
Their expertise in applying computing skills to a scientific environment allows them to share
their directly applicable experiences with the students. The course will be managed by
NCAS who have extensive experience in managing events of this type.
Impact:
Environmental research is intrinsically linked with computing. Whether analysing third-party
data sets, managing field instruments or running full blown Earth System Models scientists
need to be competent in task automation, elementary programming and use of software. On
other NCAS training events many of the students have computing skills of a much lower
level than is ideal for the type of data analysis they need to perform as part of their
research. At present there is no computer programming training available that is targeted
Page 49 of 60
towards scientists and the types of programmes and procedures that they may need access
to. This training course will provide scientists those skills that they need to better handle
and manage data within their projects.
PhD students do not typically gain these specialised skills during their general PhD training
and the training that is available is not directly relevant to atmospheric science students.
NCAS is looked to for the provision of this type of training within the community due to
the high levels of expertise of our staff and our experience in delivering high quality training
events.
For more information, please visit the course information page.
To register your interest please use the NCAS online form.
Page 50 of 60
Please email all Expression of Interest forms to [email protected] by the dates
indicated. Any queries regarding these courses should be sent to [email protected].
Available Courses Summary:
No. Course Name Expected
Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Numbers
EoI
Date
Deposit Course
Price
Location
1 Data Assimilation
in Environmental
Sciences
TBC (5
days)
Max 30 n/a TBC
TBC
University
of
Reading
2 Python for Earth
Observation
TBC (2
days)
Max 15 TBC
TBC
TBC
UCL
3 Field
Spectroscopy,
Airborne Optical
Imaging and
Process Modelling
for Environmental
Science (fieldwork
course)
This
course is
weather-
dependent
and is
usually
held in
June.
Max 12 TBC
TBC
TBC
Albacete,
southern
Spain
4 Introduction to
Field
Spectroscopy
(classroom based)
TBC Max 25 n/a TBC
Free to
UK
registered
academics
(excluding
T&S)
University
of
Edinburgh
5 Using the SNAP
toolbox for
processing
Sentinel 1 data
TBC TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
University
of
Reading
6 Data Management
Skills for Earth
Observation
TBC TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
University
of
Reading
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NCEO Course Information:
1. Data Assimilation in Environmental Sciences
Key dates: TBC (5 days)
Location: University of Reading
Contact: TBC
Intended audience: Environmental scientists who wish to implement data assimilation
techniques for their own models or who are using output from data assimilation systems.
Course objectives:
By the end of the course students will:
Have an understanding of the mathematical principles behind common data
assimilation methods.
Have an understanding as to how they would implement data assimilation methods
for a real system.
Have experience of running data assimilation experiments with simplified and state-
of-the-art models, using both a PC environment and the national supercomputer,
and know how to interpret the results.
Course description: The objective of this training course is to give students a detailed
introduction to methods of data assimilation and their use in environmental sciences. The
course will lead students through the science of data assimilation by means of both lectures
on the theory of data assimilation and computer practicals. The following topics will be
covered: Introduction to the basics of data assimilation; variational data assimilation;
ensemble Kalman filters and hybrid methods; particle filters and Markov Chain Monte-Carlo
methods.
For each topic there will be a combination of lectures, problem sheets illustrating the
material on realistic cases and computer-based exercises. The lectures will introduce
students to the basic mathematical theory as to how the different assimilation methods are
designed, to give students a solid grasp of the principles on which the methods are based. At
the same time the lectures will demonstrate how the methods are implemented in practice
and the kind of issues that arise, thus giving students the tools necessary to use data
assimilation in their work and to build their own data assimilation schemes in the future.
For each topic computer-based exercises, developed at the University of Reading, will be
used to help students understand how different assimilation methods work in practice. This
will include simple computing experiments that can be run on a desktop PC, up to ensemble
methods that require large-scale computing facilities. As part of the computing practical
element students will gain experience of running code on the national supercomputer
Archer using the EMPIRE data assimilation framework.
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2. Python for Earth Observation
Key Dates: TBC
Location: University College London
Intended audience: The course is aimed at PhD students or early researchers who are
working in Earth Observation science, and wish to use Python for processing and modelling
data.
Course objectives:
The course will introduce students to accessing and processing EO data using Python and
GDAL, both on the command line and within a Python environment. The course will cover
basic EO data access and processing, as well as more complex operations, including:
How to access and download Sentinel data
Running GDAL on the command line e.g. to reproject and clip raster data
Using GDAL in a Python environment
Doing simple data transformations
Some applications to e.g. Image classification.
Course description: The course will run in a UCL computing lab, and will comprise
working through a series of interactive programming exercises (Jupyter notebooks via a web
browser), led by the course tutors, NCEO researchers Phil Wilkes and Jose Gomez-Dans.
It is aimed at PhD students and early career researchers who would like to develop their
spatial data programming and analysis skills. After the course, the participants will be given
instructions on how to replicate this installation in their own computers, as well as have
access to the course contents. Some knowledge of Python would be useful although not
essential.
The course will be run over 2 days at the University College London Bloomsbury campus.
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3. Field Spectroscopy, Airborne Optical Imaging and Process
Modelling for Environmental Science
Key dates: This course is held in June (TBC), when weather conditions are optimum
Location: Albacete, Southern Spain
Intended audience: PhD students and ECRs with a basic knowledge of Python.1
Course objectives: The aim of this Course is to provide PhD students and early career
researchers with a unique opportunity to gain both theoretical and practical ‘hands-on’
experience in hyperspectral Earth Observation and data acquisition, field validation,
processing and analysis. Lectures and tutorials will be delivered in Albacete, southern Spain
and field work will be conducted at Barrax Experimental Farm, near Albacete. Barrax is a
well-established and characterised agricultural research facility and one where weather
conditions are expected to be suitable for passive optical remote sensing relying on stable
solar illumination.
Staff will be available providing expertise in field spectroscopy, image processing, radiative
transfer modelling and flight planning. The course is led by Dr Alasdair Mac Arthur, from the
NERC/NCEO Field Spectroscopy Facility (FSF) at GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, with
a keynote talk from Professor Jose Moreno from the University of Valencia and additional
staff from University College London and from the NERC/BAS Airborne Research and
Survey Facility (ARSF).
This training will make use of a variety of NERC funded state-of-the-art instrumentation and
software tools. FSF will provide high-specification field instrumentation (field
spectroradiometers, ceptometers, sunphotometers), for student use. ARSF will collect data
using their cutting-edge AISA Fenix hyperspectral sensor during the course, which will be
analysed by students at the time.
Course outcomes:
1. understand field spectroscopy and image measurement techniques and uncertainties;
2. develop and implement field spectroscopy sampling methodologies for EO cal./val.
and radiative transfer modelling purposes;
3. plan a hyperspectral airborne campaign with ground support measurements;
4. conduct field spectroscopy measurements and metadata acquisitions as ground
support for an airborne hyperspectral campaign;
5. process FS and airborne data to IS units and geographical positions;
6. develop a thorough understanding of data assimilation/inverse methods to retrieve
key land surface parameters to better understand Earth systems or gain new science
insights.
1 Basic knowledge of the python programming language is required. We will not have time to teach programming skills! The number
of participants is limited to 12.
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4. Introduction to Field Spectroscopy
Key dates: TBC
Location: Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh
Course description: The aim of this three-day course is to provide an introduction to the
instrumentation, techniques and best practice in field spectroscopy (FS). The role of FS as a
primary research technique and its use to support Earth observation remote sensing will
also be covered. Drawing on the resources held by the NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility,
the course is designed to better equip users with the skills and know-how to improve
applications for support, measurements made in the field and the analysis of the data. The
course will be delivered by staff at the Field Spectroscopy Facility.
Topics covered include:
• The role of FS in research: terrestrial; marine/aquatic; and atmospheric
• Radiometric concepts and use of FS terms.
• Instrument design and calibration
• Possible measurement modes
• Issues in field, and laboratory, FS sampling design, measurement methods,
measurement uncertainties, and metadata collection.
• The data processing and analysis of spectral datasets
• Validation of optical Earth Observations
The course will be of interest to PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, or early career
scientists embarking on research projects where the use of field spectroradiometric
instruments and data are being considered. It will also be of benefit to proposers to the
NERC Airborne Research Facility, especially those hoping to take advantage of the
capabilities of the AISA hyperspectral imaging systems.
The course is free to UK registered academics, but participants will need to fund their own
travel and accommodation during their stay in Edinburgh.
The course is free to UK registered academics, but participants will need to fund their own
travel and accommodation during their stay in Edinburgh.
For course registration and further enquiries please contact us at the Facility:
NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, James Hutton
Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FE
Tel #1: 0131 650 5926 Tel #2: 0131 650 8596
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://fsf.nerc.ac.uk
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5. Using the SNAP toolbox for processing Sentinel 1 data
Key dates: TBC
Location: University of Reading
Course objectives: Run by the NCEO’s Copernicus Academy, this course will teach
delegates the use of SNAP toolbox for processing Sentinel 1 data, including SAR theory.
This two day course will provide attendees with the skills and knowledge to interpret SAR
imagery and analyse SAR including InSAR.
Course description: Hands-on training will be provided by those who already use the
SNAP system. Whilst the toolbox can be openly downloaded, this course will provide
practical guidance on processing and interpreting SAR images:
• Principles of SAR theory including interferometry
• Sentinel-1 SAR TOPS data overview
• ESA SNAP in a nutshell
• SNAP for SAR data processing: functionalities and tools
• 2 Practical exercises by using SNAP GUI and GPT:
1) generation of a calibrated, coregistered, despeckeled and orthorectified
Sentinel-1 IW GRD Time series for both polarisations
2) how to create a interferogram from Sentinel-1 SLC data.
• Overview on how to use a SNAP from command line.
Attendees should have familiarity with EO concepts such as calibration and/or awareness of
common data issues to go from a level-1 to a high-level product.
For further information: [email protected]
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6. Data Management Skills for Earth Observation
Key dates: TBC
Location: University of Reading
Course Objectives: This one day course run in conjunction with NCEO’s Copernicus
Academy will provide attendees with the skills and knowledge to interact with the NCEO’s
Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) to make use of the data catalogue for EO
(including Copernicus Sentinel datasets, which are freely available to access by users who
register with CEDA); and to know what is required to download and deposit EO datasets
to the repository.
Course description:
A hands-on training day will be provided by NCEO CEDA staff who will show attendees
how to use the repository effectively for EO datasets, including a range of best-practice data
management skills:
overview of data management plans
organizing data including version control
metadata for describing, finding and making data reusable
citing and publishing data
data sharing, preservation and licensing
the European INSPIRE directive and similar initiatives.
For further information: [email protected]
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NOC courses are currently in development. Please check future versions of this document
for more information or contact [email protected] for details
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Data Centres NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
Available Courses Summary:
No. Course Name Expected
Course
Dates
Min. &
Max.
Course
Numbers
EoI
Date
Non-
refundab
le admin
fee
Course
Price
Location
1 Introduction to
Scientific
Computing
13/11/17 –
17/11/17
20 - 40 TBC £50 £250
(students)
£750
(students or
ECRs not
eligible for
subsidised
rate)
£1100 (full
academic
price)
University
of Leeds
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1. Introduction to Scientific Computing
Key Dates: 13/11/217-17/11/17
Location: NCAS training room, University of Leeds
Course Information:
A five-day course of lectures and practical exercises. Students will be able to:
Control processes using basic commands in the Linux Shell
Automate simple tasks in the Linux Shell
Write programmes in Python using variables and functions
Understand syntax and structure of logical programming commands in Python
Design and build a modular programme in Python
Create well structured, documented code that can be reused for different processes
and functions
Have an awareness of common tools and formats used in environmental science
Use Python to interact with a simple sensor
Understand concepts required for other NERC training such as the Unified Model,
WRF and Software Development for Environmental Scientists courses.
Additional information concerning this course, including registration details, is available
through the NCAS website.
Please contact NCAS training should you have any queries.
Page 60 of 60
Annex A: Research Centre Training Programme Expression of
Interest Form
This form is to be completed and submitted by the individual responsible for the training grant
(e.g. the training grant award holder or a student if the grant holder has delegated
responsibility). If, as a NERC student, you are interested in participating in one of these
courses, you should discuss this with your supervisor and training grant award holder before
submitting a completed EoI form. Completed forms must be submitted to the email address
contained within the course information by the dates indicated to be eligible.
To assist with management of applications, separate EoI forms should be submitted for each
course.
Multiple students can be included on the same EoI but all must be supported by the same
training grant. Separate EoIs must be submitted for students at the same institution but
supported by different training grants. Details of only one ECR may be included on each form.
1. Training Grant Award Holder/ECR Details
Name Institution Contact
Contact
Phone
NERC Grant
Reference for
students
NE/
2. EoI Details
Course Name
Total Student Number on EoI (if ECR
leave blank)
3. Student/ECR Details
Student/ECR
Name
Student/ECR
Name Email
Address
Institution Research
Area
Year of
Study/Postdoctoral
Experience
