| CODE | GSC2340 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Ocean Dynamics | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geosciences | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces the students to the principles of fluid dynamics in the context of geophysical processes pertaining to the motion of the oceans on a rotating earth. The unit is divided into two main components: (i) introduction to fluid dynamics in a rotating frame of reference; and (ii) application in physical oceanography. The course builds on geostrophic balance and friction in a rotating reference frame; the effects of vertical stratification in oceans; turbulent motion; expression and solution of the geophysical fluid dynamics equations for oceanic systems. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit focuses on the specialised fields of geophysical fluid dynamics and physical oceanography. The unit seeks to provide the basic understanding to the fluid dynamics in the context of geophysical processes pertaining to the motion of the oceans on a rotating earth: the physics of the sea as a key element for marine and earth sciences and serving as a foundation unit to other units related to the marine environment. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Reproduce the mathematical concepts of GFD and the governing equations; - Review the importance of rotation and stratification on fluid flows; - Explain the ocean general circulations; - Review and apply the basic concepts underlying the physical characteristics and dynamic behavior of the oceans with appropriate mathematical description; - Assess the available technologies to observe the sea and methods of interpretations; - Describe the functioning of the Mediterranean basin-scale circulation focusing on the Central Mediterranean and the coastal seas around the Maltese Islands. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the mathematical concepts to simple codes/scripts to visualize certain phenomena; - Quantitative understanding of the basic physical laws applied to the ocean continuum; - Recall the basic literature referring to the marine physical environment; - Interpret data and information sources on physical oceanography; - Apply high level tools for the scientific presentation and interpretation of oceanographic data. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Physical and Numerical Aspects. B Cushman-Roisin and JM Beckers. (2011), 875 pp., ISBN-13:978-0120887590. - Fundamentals of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. JC McWilliams. (2011), 272 pp., ISBN-13: 978-1107404083. - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. J Pedlosky. (2008), 710 pp., ISBN-13: 978-0387963877. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: Good knowledge of Mathematics Pre-Requisite Study-Units: GSC1200 or GSC1201 |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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