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 Professor CW Hughes
Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
C.W.Hughes@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

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

(LO1) Students will acquire knowledge of key concepts in ocean and atmosphere dynamics.

(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.

(LO3) Students will develop mathematical skills in scale analysis of differential equations to isolate the essential phenomena.

(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.

(LO5) Students will develop an understanding of the factors controllng fluid flows on a range of rotating planets.

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Numeracy


Syllabus

 

Two lectures per week for ten weeks, covering:

Geography of the atmosphere and ocean - general characteristics to be explained.

Equations describing transport of tracers, including mass, and momentum. Their meaning, and how to simplify them - sensible scalings for atmosphere and ocean.

Potential vorticity conservation and its consequences, including for mixing and waves, and the importance of vertical velocities.

Jets and eddies in the atmosphere.

Rossby waves and ocean gyre theory, including the role of topography.

The Meridional overturning circulation, and ocean heat transport.

Resources - books:
"Introducing Oceanography" by David Thomas and David Bowers - Background for non-oceanographers
"Ocean Dynamics and the Carbon Cycle" by Richard Williams and Michael Follows. Good supplementary source on tracer transport and ocean dynamics/physics


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture. 20 hours of lecture material delivered asynchronously as recorded lectures, of typical duration 25 minutes.

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial (20 hours total, in person)
Description: Tutorials to be spent working through solutions to problem sets and addressing any difficulties. Classes held in person, with PG demonstrator available for 1 hour of each 2-hour class.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Problems classes cover the mathematics to be used in the coming lecture, ensuring active learning: working through the problems engenders a deeper understanding of the concepts involved, and primes students for the associated physical concepts as they are encountered in lectures.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours     20

    20

40
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 110
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Online test: Atmosphere and ocean characteristics and mathematical problems 1. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. A  60    25       
VITAL online test: Atmosphere and ocean characteristics and mathematical problems 2. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessmen  60    25       
Electronically submitted essay. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) : Semester 1 Tes  60    50       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.