Physical Oceanography
- Years2 years
- ECTS credits120
Introduction
Objectives and content
The Master's programme in Meteorology and Oceanography with study specialization in Physical Oceanography gives the student a thorough understanding of the physics and especially the dynamics of the ocean; e.g. the tides, upwelling, mixing processes, and interactions with the atmosphere and the biosphere.
The Master's Programme in Meteorology and Oceanography with study specialization in Physical Oceanography provides a broad foundation and a good understanding of current issues in the field. The programme covers topics from local (fjord, coastal and shelf circulation) to global scale. The study also covers the use of statistical and numerical methods, oceanographic observations, and theoretical analysis
Programme profile
The master's programme in Meteorology and Oceanography at the University of Bergen is unique, because you will be introduced to both meteorology and oceanography, irrespective of which of the four directions you choose.
What you Learn
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the programme the candidate will have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The candidate
- knows the main features of physical oceanography and related subjects such as climate and meteorology, and has a thorough knowledge of a specialized subject in physical oceanography
- knows the most common instruments used in oceanographic field surveys, their limitations and how to carry out related data analysis
- knows how to apply statistical time-space methods used in analyses of geophysical data
- knows how to analyse and interpret geophysical problems and interaction between the various components in the climate system
- knows how oceanography connects to relevant areas of mathematics, physics, computer science, geosciences, chemistry and meteorology.
Skills
The candidate
- can use modern field instrumentation
- can collect and analyse large data sets and discuss limitations
- can use programming tools to process, analyse and visualize data
- can apply developed skills in mathematics and statistics on oceanographic problems
- can do numerical calculations using knowledge from hydrodynamics, classical mechanics, and thermodynamics.
- is able to plan and conduct an ocean research project with guidance from an academic supervisor, but with a large degree of independence and in accordance with good scientific practices
- can interpret and discuss his/her own results in a scientifically sound and critical way and in light of data and theories in the field
General competence
The candidate
- can disseminate results as an oral presentation
- can summarize field and laboratory work in a written report
- can search relevant scientific literature, and cite appropriately
- can formulate, analyse, interpret and discuss his/her own results in a scientifically sound and critical way using data and theories from oceanography and related research fields
- is able to write a scientific dissertation that adds new knowledge to a topic
- is able to analyse scientific problems in general and participate in discussions about different ways of addressing and solving problems
- demonstrates an understanding of and respect for scientific values such as transparency, precision and accountability
- can analyse and reflect upon relevant ethical problems related to the research
Structure
Programme structure
A master's programme in meteorology and oceaongraphy consists of an individual research project (master's thesis) of 60 ECTS credits, and courses or special topics of 60 ECTS credits. Some of the courses are compulsory within the specialisations. You will choose the other courses in agreement with the academic supervisor.
| Spesialization | |||||||||
| When applying for admission to the Master's program, you apply directly to a programme | |||||||||
| Physical Oceanography (requirement 60 SP) | |||||||||
| Compulsory subject (requirement 35 SP) | |||||||||
| Mandatory course | |||||||||
| Course code | Course title | SP | S | R | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOF310 | Turbulence in the Atmospheric and Ocean Boundary Layer | 10 | 1–4 | 1 | |||||
| GEOF337 | Physical Oceanography in Fjords | 10 | 1–4 | 2 | |||||
| GEOF339 | Advanced Ocean Dynamics | 5 | 1–4 | 1 | |||||
| GEOF346 | Tidal dynamics and sea level variations | 10 | 1–4 | 1 | |||||
| Optional subjects (requirement 25 SP) | |||||||||
| You should choose subjects in consultation with your academic supervisor. | |||||||||
| Elective course | |||||||||
| Course code | Course title | SP | S | R | |||||
| GEOF211 | Numerical Modelling | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF301 | An Introduction to Master's Studies | 5 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF334 | Microwave Satellite Remote Sensing | 5 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF338 | Polar Oceanography | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF343 | Wind Generated Surface Waves | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF345 | Satellite Remote Sensing in Meteorology and Oceanography | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF347 | Seminar on "Earth system science for sustainability studies" | 5 | 1–4 | ||||||
| VIT212 | Major Issues in Research and Society: Climate: What Do We Know? What Should We Do? | 5 | 1–4 | ||||||
| Marine biogeochemistry (requirement 60 SP) | |||||||||
| Compulsory subject (requirement 25 SP) | |||||||||
| Mandatory course | |||||||||
| Course code | Course title | SP | S | R | |||||
| GEOF310 | Turbulence in the Atmospheric and Ocean Boundary Layer | 10 | 1–4 | 1 | |||||
| GEOF336 | Advanced Chemical Oceanography | 10 | 1–4 | 2 | |||||
| GEOF347 | Seminar on "Earth system science for sustainability studies" | 5 | 1–4 | 1 | |||||
| Optional subject (requirement 35 SP) | |||||||||
| You should choose subjects in consultation with your academic supervisor. | |||||||||
| Elective course | |||||||||
| Course code | Course title | SP | S | R | |||||
| GEOF211 | Numerical Modelling | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF337 | Physical Oceanography in Fjords | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOF338 | Polar Oceanography | 10 | 1–4 | ||||||
| GEOV331 | Palaeoceanography | 5 | 1–4 | ||||||
| VIT212 | Major Issues in Research and Society: Climate: What Do We Know? What Should We Do? | 5 | 1–4 | ||||||
| Master thesis in Geophysics (requirement 60 SP) | |||||||||
| Mandatory course | |||||||||
| Course code | Course title | SP | S | R | |||||
| GEOF399 | Master's Thesis in Meteorology and Oceanography | 60 | 3 | ||||||
| SP = ECTS credits, S = Semester, R = Recommended semester | |||||||||
Study Period Abroad
Study period abroad
You can plan study periods abroad in consultation with your supervisor as a part of the master agreement.
How to Apply
Semester
Autumn.
Admission Requirements
Application procedure
For more information about the application procedure please see:
http://www.uib.no/en/education/48766/how-apply-masters-degree
Admission Requirements for specialization in Physical Oceanography:
Bachelor's degree in Climate, Atmosphere and Ocean Physics, BS in meteorology and oceanography, , physics, mathematics, informatics or equivalent, including courses equivalent to GEOF105, GEOF110 and GEOF210 and GEOF212. In addition GEOF213 or an equivalent course has to be passed in order to qualify for admission to the study specialization physical oceanography.
To qualify for admission to the master's programme the average grade for the specialization in the bachelor's degree should be at least C in the Norwegian grading system. For the Master's Programme in Meteorology and Oceanography the admission is based on the specialization part of the Bachelor's Programme in Meteorology and Oceanography (or Bachelor's Programme in Climate, Atmosphere and Ocean Physics) included the specialization for the different specializations or equivalent.
If there is shortage of seats, the applicants will become ranked for admission. At the last admission all qualified applicants were admitted.