Ocean Data Analysis and Modelling

Learning Outcomes

- Modelling the ocean using Newton’s laws of motion and Thermodynamic principles - The gravitational force and the concept of geopotential height - The pressure gradient force - The frictional force, velocity shear, viscosity. - Circular motion, the rotating Earth, and the Coriolis force - Summary of forces in oceanography (The Navier-Stokes Equations) - Angular momentum and potential vorticity - The conservation of energy and the ocean heat budget. - Importance and fundamentals of ocean data - Acoustic methods for subsurface oceanography - Acoustic Doppler techniques for water column sounding - Temperature and salinity measurements, CTD etc. - Underway sampling and towed platforms, fluorometry, etc. - Principles of satellite remote sensing techniques to measure sea surface temperature, ocean colour, sea surface height and velocity, and surface winds. - Synergies between different types of data, including between in situ and satellite data sources. - Practical introduction to the use of scientific programming to analyse oceanographic data. - Timescales of variability in the ocean. - Case studies in the ocean, including Sverdrup gyres, eddies, sea level and phytoplankton.

Formal Lectures: 24 x 45 minute lectures will provide an introduction to the underlying theoretical principles of (1) modelling oceanographic phenomena using dynamical and thermodynamical principles and (2) ocean data collection and processing. The lectures will present factual information about the topics and methods in the syllabus and give explanations of how to put this knowledge into practice. Some lectures will contain interactive elements, including peer to peer instruction and problem solving within groups. Where relevant, lecturers' own research experience in the appropriate fields is brought into the lecturing sessions. References to the applicable chapter of course text and/or other relevant journal articles are provided as useful reading for each lecture. Practical sessions: 12 x 2 hour sessions provide hands-on experience of processing and analysing different types of data using appropriate analytical computer tools. These sessions exemplify the theoretical concepts for data analysis covered during formal lectures allowing you to develop particular skills of relevance to both local and global-scale oceanographic analysis. Support: is provided by staff and/or postgraduate demonstrators. A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.