Geosciences 554 - Ocean Dynamics

This course is a broad survey of physical oceanography appropriate for graduate students and advanced undergraduates with interest in ocean, atmosphere and climate sciences. Emphasis is on the role of the ocean as a system influencing the Earth's surface processes and climate. Topics include: properties and behavior of sea water; wind driven and density-driven ocean circulation; air-sea coupling; ocean-ice interactions; linkages between physical ocean processes and biogeochemical cycles (the marine carbon cycle); and the role of the ocean in past, present, and future climate change. This course is lecture based with frequent discussions, small group exercises, exams and problems sets. On completing this courses students are able to describe the fundamental physical processes governing ocean dynamics, and to apply calculus and other mathematics in oceanographic problem solving.