MTMG21-Oceanography

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Remi Tailleux
Email: r.g.j.tailleux@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
After discussing the observational difficulties involved in studying the oceans, this module shows how observed large scale Features can be rationalised in terms of simple dynamical theories.

Aims:
To give an overview of modern approaches to the observational, numerical and theoretical study of the oceans, in order to provide the student with the required tools to address the current challenges of understanding how the oceans interact with the climate system.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, the students should be able to:

• Explain how the oceans works and how it interacts with the climate system;


• Make quantitative estimations of dynamical variables from hydrographic observations;


• Possess a basic understanding of the design of numerical ocean models, and of what can be learned from them;


• Solve basic problems in ocean dynamics.

Additional outcomes:
Students will get a good idea of typical values of important parameters in the oceans. Furthermore, they will improve their skill in problem solving, algebra, and understanding mathematical equations in physical terms.

Outline content:

1. Overview of the large-scale ocean circulation; methods of observing the large-scale circulation and observational difficulties;


2. Dynamical equations governing the oceans. Wind-driven circulation theory. The Ekman, Sverdrup, and Stommel models. Western boundary currents;


3. Thermohaline circulation: mechanically-driven or buoyancy-driven? Energetics and thermodynamics of turbulent mixing in stratified fluids. Multiple equilibria. Link with the meridiona l transport of heat, and climate. Ocean heat uptake and sea level rise;


4. Hot topics (vary each year. Examples include: theory of the antarctic circumpolar current and meso-scale eddies, machine learning and numerical ocean modelling, carbon cycle)

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures and practicals. Practicals consist of 4 or 5 problem classes, depending on the year, during which students work on a problem under the guidance of the lecturer.

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Summative assessment- Examinations:
Two hour exam.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Final exam: Answer 2 questions out of 3.

Formative assessment methods:

One-on-one advice given to students that are struggling during problem classes.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: