Physics of the Atmosphere and Ocean
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- GEOF105
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norwegian
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student
- should know how to use the correct terminology to describe and evaluate key processes in ocean and atmosphere physics
- should recognize derivations of fundamental equations describing thermodynamics and processes in ocean and atmosphere
- should describe the basic principles of atmospheric and oceanographic thermodynamics and selected physical and chemical processes.
- should explain how wind and density variations drive circulation in fjords, along coasts, and on a global scale
- should explain basic types of surface waves in the ocean
- should describe measurements principles and error sources for various instruments used in oceanography and meteorology
- should be able to describe the connections between different processes in weather systems
- should be able to define and discuss fluxes of heat, momentum, carbon and mass in and between the ocean and the atmosphere
Skills
The student
- should know how to carry out simple calculations of estuarine circulation and Ekman transport
- should know how to interpret atmospheric observations from weather stations, radiosondes, weather radar, and satellites
- should know how to use software for analyzing current and predicted weather situations
- should know how to calculate properties and fluxes and estimate processes in the ocean and atmosphere
- should know how to sketch the development of a mixed layer that is under influence of heat fluxes, salt fluxes, and wind
- should know how to perform meteorological and oceanographic observations in the field and in the laboratory
- should know how to use coding tools for analyzing data, plot figures, and discuss the outcome
General competence
The student
- should know how to describe, analyze and report observations from laboratory experiments
- should know how to plan and perform simple field experiments under supervision
- should know how to present results from group work as a written report and oral talk
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Autumn This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. Application deadline is wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information: https://www.uib.no/en/nt/53431/admission-courses-limited-capacity
The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on the Mitt UiB learning platform.
It is mandatory to attend the first lecture.
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching will be given as lectures with a focus on active learning, cruise, laboratory experiments and seminars.
Activity: 4 hours lectures and 2 hours laboratory work or exercises each week/15 weeks.
Cruise: One day.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
- Mandatory attendance at the first learning session and cruise planning
- Participation in lab experiment and peer evaluation of 1 laboratory report
- Participation on cruise, approved cruise presentation
Mandatory work requirements are valid in the semester they are approved and for three (3) subsequent semesters.
Forms of Assessment
Composite assessment
The composite assessment consists of
- A laboratory report in oceanography
- A laboratory report in meteorology consisting of a group report and presentation
- Written school exam (4 hours)
- Optional quizzes offering up to 8 bous percentage points on the written examination.
The laboratory reports are valid in the semester they are submitted and in one subsequent semester. The scores from the sub-assessments are added together to determine the final grade for the course.
The percentage distribution of how much the reports and the final exam count is determined in collaboration with the students during the first two weeks of teaching. The written exam cannot account for less than 50 % of the final grade. The percentage distribution used in the teaching semester will aldo apply to teh early exam in the following semester.