Module Details |
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
Title | OCEAN DYNAMICS | ||
Code | ENVS332 | ||
Coordinator |
Prof CW Hughes Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences C.W.Hughes@liverpool.ac.uk |
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Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
Session 2019-20 | Level 6 FHEQ | First Semester | 15 |
Aims |
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To gain a high level understanding of ocean and atmospheric dynamics: To understand the background state of the atmosphere and ocean; To address how tracers spread; To understand the effects of rotation and how jets and eddies form on a rotating planet; To understand how waves influence and interact with the ocean circulation; To understand why there are western boundary currents and gyres in ocean basins; To understand how topography shapes the deep ocean circulation over the globe. |
Learning Outcomes |
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(LO1) Students will acquire knowledge of key concepts in ocean and atmosphere dynamics. |
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(LO2) Students will learn to appreciate the approximate nature of theoretical ideas, and the strengths and weaknesses of such ideas as explanations of observed phenomena. |
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(LO3) Students will develop mathematical skills in scale analysis of differential equations to isolate the essential phenomena. |
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(LO4) Students will acquire experience in combining quantitative and qualitative understanding of dynamics to give clear explanations of observed phenomena in the ocean and atmosphere. |
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(LO5) Students will develop an understanding of the factors controllng fluid flows on a range of rotating planets. |
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(S1) Problem solving skills |
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(S2) Numeracy |
Syllabus |
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Two lectures per week for ten weeks: Week One: Geography of the atmosphere and ocean - general characteristics to be explained, drivers, heat transport and vertical structure, potential density, introduction to the Taylor-Proudman theorem, importance of vertical velocity. Week Two: Tracer transport - fluxes, advection and diffusion, mixing, scaling (Peclet number), effects of rotation, constraints in two dimensions (non-divergent flow), role of eddies. Week Three: Pressure and hydrostatic balance, the non-rotating shallow water equations (including the material derivative), shallow water waves (tides, tsunamis), vertical modes, the importance of vertical velocities. Week Four: Rotation - the origin of the Coriolis force, Geostrophic balance and vertical velocity, Ekman fluxes and Ekman pumping, coastal upwelling, the rotating shallow water equations, shallow water potential vorticity conservation. Week Five: Waves - different kinds of waves, derivation of Kelvin wave (vertical modes), dispersion relations, phase and group velocities, introduction to Rossby waves. Week Six: The full equations of motion, scaling analysis, Taylor-Proudman theorem and thermal wind relations, Rossby number and Reynolds number. Week Seven: Atmospheric circulation - weather systems and scaling, general circulation and overturning cells, need for jets and eddies, jet streams on Earth and other planets. Week Eight: Rossby waves - derivation of dispersion relation, underlying physics, typical speeds and scales, link to topography and to western boundary currents. Week Nine: Ocean gyre theory - Sverdrup balance, adjustment to Sverdrup balance, ways in which Sverdrup balance can break down, idealized gyres and topographic steering at subpolar latitudes. Week Ten: The Meridional overturning circulation - Stommel-Arons theory and its limitations, link between the MOC and western boundary currents, water mass ages and tracer distributi ons. Each week's lectures will be accompanied by either a problem sheet to be completed before a workshop class in which solutions and further information will be given, or a practical demonstration to consolidate understanding. |
Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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Teaching Method 1 - Lecture Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial Teaching Method 3 - Laboratory Work |
Teaching Schedule |
Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
Study Hours |
20 |
8 |
2 |
30 | |||
Timetable (if known) | |||||||
Private Study | 120 | ||||||
TOTAL HOURS | 150 |
Assessment |
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EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :End of semester 1 | 120 minutes | 70 | ||||
CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
VITAL online test: Atmosphere and ocean characteristics and scaling There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment S | Approximately 1-hour | 15 | ||||
VITAL online test: Atmosphere and ocean dynamics There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Wee | Approximately 1-hour | 15 |
Recommended Texts |
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Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module. |