EAS 5840

Inverse Methods in the Natural Sciences

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2020-2021.

An exploration of solution methods for inverse problems with examples taken from geophysics and related fields, with particular attention to making inferences from inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent physical data. Applications include medical and seismic tomography, earthquake location, image processing, and radio/radar imaging. Linear algebra (including condition numbers) and probability and statistics (including error analysis, Bayes theorem, Gibbs distribution, and Markov chains) are reviewed. Methods covered include nonlinear least-squares, maximum likelihood methods, and local and global optimization methods, including simulated annealing and genetic algorithms.

When Offered Fall (offered in odd-numbered years only).

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: MATH 2940.

Comments Students enrolled in EAS 5840 are required to complete and present a substantial class project to be negotiated with the instructor.

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