Physics 2300: Introductory Oceanography


2300 Introductory Physical Oceanography
(same as Ocean Sciences 2300) will provide an introduction to general oceanography with a primary focus on physical oceanography. The course will review how oceans form and how they evolve on a planetary scale. Ocean characteristics studied will include: the properties of seawater; elementary dynamics of fluid on the rotating Earth; key features of ocean circulation; wind-forcing in the ocean; tides and waves. Contemporary methods used in oceanographic study will be covered including satellite oceanography. The interactions that occur between physical and chemical processes and biological activity will be reviewed.

CR: Environmental Science 2371, Ocean Sciences 2300
PR: any two first-year courses in Physics

This course will enable students studying in different disciplines to learn about the ocean from a physical prospective. This course will provide a general introduction to ocean processes with a primary focus on the physical ocean. The course will review how oceans form and how they evolve on a planetary scale. Topics that will be discussed include: the properties of seawater, elementary dynamics of fluid on the rotating Earth; key features of ocean circulation, wind-forcing in the ocean, waves and tides. The role that physical and chemical processes play in mediating biological activity will be presented. Contemporary methods used in oceanographic study will be covered including satellite oceanography.