MN-GM-GEOMAG

Specialisation Module: Geomagnetism and Space Weather
Identification number MN-GM- GEOMAG		Workload 180 h	Credits 6	Term 1st - 3rd Semester	Offered Every on special announcement	Start on special announcement	Duration 1 semester
1	Course types a) Lecture b) Exercise c) Seminar			Contact time 30 h 30 h 10 h		Private study 15 h 45 h 50 h
2	Module objectives and skills to be acquired The course covers physics, origin and governing principles of Earth’s magnetic field and its dynamics. Methods for analysis and interpretation of time-varying magnetic field will be elaborated. Students will be introduced to the field of space weather and space climate; and study the hazardous effects of geomagnetic storms on critical ground and space infrastructure. We will see how Earth's magnetic field is measured on surface and from satellites. A variety of applications, from Earth’s subsurface imaging to geomagnetic storm modelling and navigational drilling will be considered during lectures and hand-on practical Python-based exercises. Acquired skills: Analysis of geophysical time-series and multi-dimensional data Fundamentals of Machine Learning and Statistical Analysis Python/Jupyter programming skills Presentation skills, critical assessment, and analysis of scientific work.
3	Module content Geomagnetic field: origin, history of science, spatiotemporal characteristics Electromagnetism: governing principles, Maxwell’s equations Electric and magnetic  properties of rocks and minerals Earth’s Ionosphere and Magnetosphere Space weather: introduction Geomagnetic storms: modelling and forecast using Machine Learning Magnetic fields due to oceanic currents: motional induction Basics of deep electromagnetic tomography of Earth’s interior Measuring Earth’s magnetic field: satellite and ground observations Data processing and time-series analysis of magnetic fields Applications: georesource exploration, navigational drilling, tomography Literature: Lowrie, W., & Fichtner, A. (2020). Fundamentals of geophysics. Cambridge university press. Parkinson, W. D. (1983). Introduction to geomagnetism. Moldwin, M. (2022). An introduction to space weather. Cambridge University Press.
4	Teaching methods Lectures, exercises, and a project. Exercises will include solution of small problems in form of python scripts and jupyter notebooks. Exercise and project topics may cover: Determination of Earth’s magnetic field parameters using European Space Agency Satellite data Machine-learning forecasting of a geomagnetic storm Extraction of magnetic signals due to lunar ocean tide using multi-variate statistical methods Time series analysis of space weather measurements Linear inverse problem for magnetic susceptibility of rocks Non-linear inverse problem for electromagnetic sounding of the mantle In the middle of the semester a project will be assigned to students. Students must work on the project in small groups or individually. The duration of the project work is 8 weeks, at the end of which a written report (including documentation and source code) is handed in.
5	Prerequisites (for the module) Formal: None. The content of the course requires the undergraduate knowledge of calculus, physics and programming.
6	Type of examination Project work (graded) A failed project work may be repeated once. If the second project work fails the entire module has to be repeated. The module mark is the grade obtained for the project work
7	Credits awarded The module is passed, and the credit points will be awarded, if the project is passed, and the exercises are passed; the acquisition of 50% of the points to be achieved is sufficient for this
8	Compatibility with other curricula Suitable as an elective course for physics students.
9	Proportion of final grade Weight of the module grade in the overall grade: 6/150 (4 %)
10	Module coordinator Alexander Grayver
11	Further information Version: LW 2023-03-28