EAE5025 · Ocean circulation and dynamics

Overview

Physical oceanography is the study of the ocean, its motion and the underlying physical processes. This unit will begin with a brief foray into descriptive physical oceanography, where details of the mean circulation and physical structure of the ocean will be presented along with past and present oceanographic instruments and observing platforms.The unit will then cover aspects of dynamical physical oceanography particularly relevant for tropical and subtropical oceans, including the introduction of the equations of motion, Ekman layer theory and wind-driven circulation, geostrophic circulation, western boundary currents and internal waves. The unit will then finish by introducing interactions at the air-sea interface and how the related coupled ocean-atmosphere dynamics can lead to climatically relevant modes of climate variability, like the El Nino-Southern Oscillation.

Areas of study: Master of Science in Atmospheric Science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify the mean circulation of the tropical to subtropical ocean and detail the underlying dynamical principles responsible for this circulation.
2. Appraise how the ocean adjusts to perturbations, and utilise these dynamical principles to explain observed variations;
3. Demonstrate a high level of knowledge of the important numerical techniques used to solve problems in physical oceanography;
4. Critically analyse the scientific literature on ocean dynamics.

Workload

A total of 12 hours per week comprising: • Two 1-hour lectures • One 1-hour applied session • Three hours on assignments, reports and preparation of a talk • 6 hours of independent study This unit is offered at both Level 4 and Level 5, the difference being that Level 5 is assessed differently. Students enrolled in EAE5025 will be expected to exhibit a higher level of knowledge in this subject than those enrolled in EAE4025. This higher level will be assessed through more advanced assignment tasks

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.