Statistical Methods in Environmental Science

Catalog description

This class explores a set of statistical models useful for solving problems in hydrology and environmental sciences. Topics will include Bayesian statistics and Markov chain Monte Carlo numerical methods, extreme value distributions and risk analysis, Bayesian mixing models, turbulent boundary layers and statistical fluid mechanics, and spectral analysis (Fourier and wavelet transforms). A final component of the course will focus on how power law emerges from physical processes in hydrology and environmental science, and on the space-time scaling of Earth physical processes. The emphasis of the course is on applications to water resources management, weather extremes, groundwater, and land-atmosphere interactions.