Academic management

PART 1:  The students are equipped with the basic tools to conduct descriptive analysis of physical oceanography data, and to interpret the main oceanographic structures of the world ocean. Skills to acquire: Basic knowledge of physical oceanography. Data analysis and interpretation. Communication, argumentation and scientific reasoning. Creativity. Team work

Physics undergraduate level.

PART 1. Identification of main oceanographic structures and regional oceanographic processes

PART 1: 1. Vertical structure of the ocean. Vertical profiles. Pycnoclines. Water masses and TS diagrams. Water masses: convective origin. Watermasses: subduction. 2. Ocean currents. Wind. Coriolis force. Ekman motion. Geostrophic flow. Barotropic and baroclinic conditions. Dynamic topography. Vertical motion. Scales of motion. 3. Subtropical gyres. The global Surface current system. The global wind system. The North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. Westward intensification. Vorticity. Gulf Stream Rings. Eastern boundary upwelling systems. 4. The Equatorial Upwelling. Early theories. The offset of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Equatorial circulation. The Equatorial Undercurrent. The Monsoon. Kelvin and Rossby waves. El Niño Southern Oscillation 5. Polar currents. Driving mechanisms of polar circulation. Ice & polynyas. Currents. 6. Waves and tides. Wave formation. The Dispersion Equation. Wave shoaling  and refraction. Equilibrium Theory of Tides. The Dynamic Theory of Tides. Tidal mixing fronts and coastal processes.

PART 1: lectures are followed by practical analysis of ocean structures by means of Ocean Data Viewer and different online sources of oceanographic data. There is one laboratory practical where the students apply some of the concepts to lab-scale physical simulation devices. Last, the students are assigned a real, physical oceanography dataset originating from one of several world regions, which they have to analyze by applying methods learned during the practical seasons. The dataset includes oceanographic profiles and satellite-derived information.

PART 1. There will be a partial mark for this part of the course. 30% of the mark depends on the presentation, 60% on the paper and 10 % on classroom performance.

The final marks is the average for both parts of the course.  Exceptionally, the health situation may require inclusion of remote evaluation methods. In this case, the students will be informed of the changes. Students requiring differentiated evaluation, and not able to participate in face-to-face activities, will be adequately provided with substitutive, online activities.

PART 1. Materials and bibliographic resources are made available through the online facilities of the University of Oviedo under restricted access to students and professors and are updated every year.