NFYB16005U Physical Oceanography (Geofys2)
BSc Programme in Physics
We will apply classical physics to the problem of ocean circulation.
The first quarter of the class will be rather descriptive; in the second quarter we will derrive the equations of motion and determine heuristically what the forces are that dominate the ocean. It will be shown that the deep ocean is mostly adiabatic so it is not obvious at all how it can be set into motion.
After a general survey of the various dynamic regimes and observational tools, we will then derrive the properties of planetary waves and explore how they set the abyss into motion.
Parallel to the lecture there will be practical exercises during which we develop our own ocean model in Matlab. This numerical model will then be used to verify the analytical results arrived at during the lectures.
Skills
The student can:
- write down the equations governing ocean dynamics
- explain the effect of rotating frames of reference
- explain Ekman and Sverdrup transport
- explain the dynamics of the viscous boundary layers
Knowledge
The student:
- can provide a basic description of the world oceans:
major currents, salt & temperature structure, seasonal and mean features - knows the basic dynamic regimes of the ocean
- can explain the current challenges in theoretical oceanography
- knows how climate signals are transmitted in the ocean
Competences
The student can:
- translate a physical problem into mathematical formalism
- … and both into a numerical model
The book we will use is: Modern Observational Physical Oceanography by Carl Wunsch, Princeton Press, 2015
MatIntro, Mek2 and Mek1.
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 0,5
- Exercises
- 42
- Lectures
- 42,5
- Practical exercises
- 41
- Preparation
- 80
- Total
- 206,0
As
an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 25 minutes25 minutes oral exam, no preparation
- Aid
- Without aids
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
several internal examiners
- Re-exam
same as ordinary exam
Criteria for exam assesment
see learning outcome.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NFYB16005U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Bachelor
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedule
- ABemærk at kurset er flyttet fra skemagruppe C til A
- Course capacity
- no limit
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Course responsibles
- Markus Jochum (7-7471766a6f7c744775697035727c356b72)
Lecturers
Markus Jochum, NBI