Year
2021
Units
4.5
Contact
8 x 2-hour computer labs per semester
10 x 1-hour on-line exercises per semester
2 x 1-hour on-line lectures weekly
1 x 1-hour on-line tutorial weekly
Prerequisites
EASC1102 - Marine Sciences
Topic description

This topic offers the basic knowledge needed to understand what drives the ocean currents, forms distinct water masses in the world ocean, and shapes the physical characteristics of coastal oceans and estuaries. The topic is delivered in four parts. Part 1 describes the physical properties of seawater and covers the basics of descriptive and dynamical oceanography. Part 2 reviews how the distribution of continents and oceanic topographic features shape the currents and water masses of the various ocean basins. It also discusses the ocean's role in climate variability and climate change. Part 3 deals with dynamical features of coastal oceans, such as upwelling and density fronts, and discusses their role in marine productivity and diversity. Part 4 focuses on the circulation in estuaries including pollutant dispersal, suspended sediment dynamics, and flushing time estimation.

Educational aims

This topic aims to educate students in the field of oceanography with a focus on dynamical processes in coastal regions and estuaries that uniquely shape the marine environment.

Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

  1. Have a clear understanding of the physical processes that shape the marine environment
  2. Knowledge of the associated techniques (water-mass analysis, geostrophic method, etc.) and an ability to apply these techniques in a wide range of settings
  3. Demonstrate enhanced problem-solving, critical-thinking and reasoning abilities
  4. Have an appreciation of the evolution of the key ideas in the ocean and climate sciences