EA2112: The Ocean Atmosphere System
| School | School of Earth and Environmental Sciences |
| Department Code | EARTH |
| Module Code | EA2112 |
| External Subject Code | F861 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L5 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Mr Nicholas Rodgers |
| Semester | Double Semester |
| Academic Year | 2015/6 |
Outline Description of Module
- To provide students with a detailed knowledge of the processes involved in the ocean / atmosphere system.
- Show how the laws of physics can be applied to the ocean and atmosphere.
- Develop the ability to be able to interpret relevant charts and data.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Knowledge:
The student will be expected to:
- Account for a given state of the atmosphere and the ocean in terms of the physical processes involved
- Explain the formation of meteorological and oceanographic features that occur on a variety of scales
- Interpret meteorological and oceanographic data and charts
Understanding:
The student will be expected to:
- Understand the physical processes involved in the ocean/atmosphere system
- Demonstrate understanding of circulation systems in the ocean/atmosphere system
- Demonstrate understanding of the linkages between the atmosphere and the ocean
- Show the ability to interpret relevant charts and data
How the module will be delivered
- Lectures (hours): 40 hours
- Workshops (hours): up to 10 hours
Skills that will be practised and developed
The student will develop skills in:
- Preparation of well balanced, structured and informed essays
- Frame cogent argument
- Interpretation and analysis of related data and information
- Critical use of the internet as an information source
How the module will be assessed
The module will be assessed by CA worth 15% and an examination worth 85%.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 15 | Chemical Oceanography | N/A |
| Exam - Spring Semester | 70 | The Ocean Atmosphere System | 3 |
| Written Assessment | 15 | Meterological Charts | N/A |
Syllabus content
- Behaviour of air
- Atmospheric moisture, saturation processes, formation of clouds/precipitation.
- Hydrostatic relationships in the ocean/atmosphere system; stability / instability
- Nature of balanced flow: pressure gradients and geostrophic systems
- The upper air: jet streams and trough ridge systems
- Air masses and atmospheric circulation
- Circulation systems in the atmosphere
- Fronts, depressions anticyclones and sea breezes
- Chemistry of the oceans; salt, nutrients, gases, metals.
- Formation and movement of water masses
- Temperature – Salinity diagrams
- Climatic impact on productivity in the oceans
- Surface interactions: energy budgets, formation of waves and swell
- Circulation systems in the ocean
- Formation of surface currents, western boundary currents and ocean eddies
- Formation of sea ice and density calculations
- Potential impact of longer term cycles; El Nino, NAO etc
Background Reading and Resource List
Books
- Atmosphere Weather and Climate, RG Barry and RJ Chorley
- The Atmosphere and Ocean, N Wells
- Atmospheric Science, JM Wallace and PV Hobbs
- Waves Tides and Shallow Water Processes, Open University
- Biological Oceanography and Introduction, CM Lalli and TR Parsons
Journals
- Weather, Monthly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society – various papers
- Quarterly Journal Royal Meteorological Society – various papers
- Extensive use if made of Learning Central to post upto date references
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