Physics of the Atmosphere and Ocean
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- GEOF105
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norwegian
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student should
- know how to use the correct terminology to describe and evaluate key processes in ocean and atmosphere physics
- recognize derivations of fundamental equations for processes in ocean and atmosphere physics, such as adiabatic processes, hydrostatic balance, and radiation
- be able to describe the basic principles of atmospheric thermodynamics, radiation, microphysics, and dynamics
- be able to explain how the ocean circulation is affected by the atmosphere and by the Earth's rotation
- be able to sketch estuarine circulation and Ekman transport
- explain the theory for geostrophic balance and give examples of systems in geostrophic balance
- describe measurements principles and error sources for various instruments used in oceanography and meteorology
- be able to describe/explain the connections between different processes in weather systems
- be able to describe processes that affect the structure and thickness of the upper ocean mixed layer
- be able to define and discuss fluxes of heat, momentum and mass in and between the ocean and the atmosphere
Skills
The student should know how to:
- interpret atmospheric observations from weather stations, radiosondes, weather radar, and satellites
- use software for analyzing current and predicted weather situations
- calculate properties and fluxes and estimate processes in the ocean and atmosphere using relevant methods and equations
- sketch the development of a mixed layer that is under influence of heat fluxes, salt fluxes, and wind
- perform meteorological and oceanographic observations in the field and in the laboratory
- use programming tools for analyzing data, plot figures, and discuss the outcome
General competence
The student should know how to
- describe, analyze and report observations from laboratory experiments
- plan and perform simple field experiments under supervision
- present results from group work as a written report and oral talk
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Autumn This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. Application deadline is Thursday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information: https://www.uib.no/en/matnat/53431/admission-courses-limited-capacity
The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on the Mitt UiB learning platform.
It is mandatory to attend the first lecture.
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching will be given as lectures with a focus on active learning, cruise, laboratory experiments and seminars. The students write a cruise report and give a presentation.
Activity: 4 hours lectures and 2 hours laboratory work or exercises each week/15 weeks.
Cruise: One day.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Participation in the introduction lectures. Participation in planning the cruise, participation on the cruise, approved cruise-report and cruise presentation.
Participation in a radio-sonde launch.
Valid for four semesters: The semester mandatory activities have been approved and the three following semesters.
Forms of Assessment
One laboratory report in oceanography (individual work).
One laboratory report in meteorology (group report + presentation).
The laboratory reports are valid in the semester they have been approved and the following semester.
The 4-hours final written exam counts 70 percent of the final grade and must be passed.
The students can earn 7 percent-points bonus for the written exam result based on the completion of 12 quizzes related to weekly lecture preparations.
We add up scores form the partial assessments to determine the final grade in the course. The percentage distribution for how much the reports and final exams count will be decided in collaboration with the students during the first 2 weeks of teaching. The percentage distribution used in the teaching semester will also apply to early exams in the following semester.