Project course overview

Project course overview#

GEOM2061 - Introduction to geodynamic modelling project (2 cp)

What is the idea?#

We’d like to see you take your new skills as geodynamic modellers and apply them to learning something about a problem of your choosing.

Example problems could include:

  • Modifying our ASPECT models of rifting of a continent

  • Using ASPECT to model continent-continent collision

  • Writing a 2D finite-difference solution to the heat advection-diffusion equation

  • Modelling sinking of tectonic plates in the mantle using ASPECT

What do you need to do?#

For the project you should design a model, run 1-3 numerical experiments with your model, and write a short paper describing the model and your results in the format of a scientic journal article.

The paper#

Format#

The paper should be formatted as follows:

  • 12 pt Times New Roman (or similar) font

  • Single spacing between lines

  • Text and figures should not exceed 8 pages

    • References and the appendix can be on additional pages as needed

The paper should include the sections described on the following slides

Abstract#

A one-paragraph summary of the exercise and your results

Introduction#

  • Clearly describe the problem you are addressing (or hypothesis being tested) and it’s significance

  • Provide background information on the topic (e.g., from lecture notes and other sources)

  • Provide 1 short paragraph about how your models relate to understanding your stated problem

  • 2-4 paragraphs in length

Methods#

  • Clearly state the equations being solved and the different methods used in solving the equations

  • List the main variables or free parameters in the equations

  • This should be more than 1 paragraph in length

Results#

  • This part describes the results from your experiments

  • Include selected figures from the output of your model with figure captions describing the results

  • You should have at least 1 paragraph of text that describes each figure

Note: The results section should only contain observations that resulted from your experiment. No interpretations of the results should be included in this section.

Discussion#

  • This part of the report discusses your results. It can have multiple subsections if you desire. Any interpretation you make from your plots/calculations should be presented here.

  • An example discussion section topics could include:

    • What are the main geological implications of your results?

    • Was there any result that was unexpected or counterintuitive?

    • What are the limitations of the modeling approach and how do they affect the results?

    • Any other topics you feel should be discussed about the implications of the model results

Conclusions/summary#

  • This should summarize the main findings of your research paper

  • 1-2 paragraphs in length

References#

Include a list of cited references from your paper

  • This should include at least 6 primary sources

Appendices#

Include a link to a webpage containing the code you have used to generate your results (if relevant)

  • If you have made any significant changes to the code, describe them here

Due date and credit points#

Project due date#

  • The final project should be submitted as a Word document, PDF, or Jupyter Notebook via email to Dave by the end of the day on 28.8.2026

  • Completion of the course project will provide an additional 2 credits

Any questions?#