Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Ocean
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- GEOF213
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Language
- English. Norwegian if only Norwegian speaking students.
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
Objectives:
The course presents the governing equations and their application to various phenomena in geophysical fluid dynamics. Topics in atmospheric sciences and oceanography are studied using theory, demonstrations and exercises.
Content:
Main topics are geostrophy; the effect of friction in the surface and bottom boundary layer (Ekman dynamics); waves in homogeneous and stratified fluids, with and without rotation effects; potential vorticity; the quasi-geostrophic framework; and barotropic and baroclinic instability.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the student should demonstrate the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge:
The student
- understands the governing equations of large-scale motion on a rotating planet
- understands steady state and balanced flows in the atmosphere and ocean
- understands the basics of waves in the atmosphere and ocean
- understands the basic principles of barotropic and baroclinic instability
- understands the basic principles of potential vorticity conservation
Skills:
The student
- can scale and simplify the governing equations for solving basic dynamical problems
- can formulate and solve problems in a geostrophic framework
- can formulate and apply wave theory to various types of waves in the atmosphere and ocean
- can formulate and use Ekman theory
- can formulate problems in a quasi-geostrophic framework
General competence
The student
- is able to discuss basic governing equations in dynamical meteorology and oceanography
- is able to derive, scale and simplify the governing equations
- is able to present and discuss dynamical phenonema in the atmosphere and ocean
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Principles of meteorology and/or oceanogarphy in addition to basic knowledge in maths and physics (mechanics) or equivalent to GEOF110 and MAT212.
This is a theoretical course which requires a solid mathematical background. To follow the course you must be familiar with (and be able to use) concepts like differential equations, partial derivatives, curl, the equation of motion in a rotating frame of reference, the Coriolis force, geostrophic flow, Ekman dynamics. You also need to have basic programming skills in e.g. Matlab, Python or similar.