GEO4960 – Dynamical Oceanography

Course content

The course gives a broad overview of ocean dynamics with a focus on how we can use simplified theory to understand key processes, including waves, and much of the observed ocean circulation. We focus on ocean flows in mid and high latitudes, and look at how both the winds and buoyancy fluxes (heat and fresh water fluxes) can drive it. The impact of Earth’s rotation on steady flows, waves and even turbulence in the ocean will be a common theme. The various topics will be illuminated with examples from observations, like moored instruments and satellites, and both idealized and realistic numerical model simulations.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, you will be able to

• understand and explain key dynamical balances used in oceanography (many are the same in meteorology)
• use these balances to study aspects of both the steady ocean circulation and its variability, including the role of waves
• discuss hydrodynamic instability and ocean turbulence that is impacted by Earth’s rotation, including how such turbulence can impact the large-scale circulation
• analyze observations and numerical simulations of real ocean flows - and interpret these in light of simplified theory
• interpret and present (to colleagues) one or more scientific papers relevant to the course

Admission to the course

Students admitted at UiO must?apply for courses?in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other master's degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may?apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

• GEF1100 – The Climate System (discontinued) /?GEO2300 – Geophysical Modelling or?equivalent course

Recommended previous knowledge

• GEO2320 – Oceanography / GEF2610 – Physical Oceanography (continued)
• GEO3900 – Atmosphere Ocean Dynamics (discontinued) /?GEO4900 – Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics (continued) / GEF3450 – Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (continued)

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with GEO9960 – Havets generelle sirkulasjon.
• 10 credits overlap with GEF4660 – The General Circulation of the Oceans (continued).
• 10 credits overlap with GEF9660 – The General Circulation of the Oceans (continued).

Teaching

Teaching consists of 4 hours of lectures per week. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions, and 3 written exercises must be handed in and approved before you can sit the final exam.

Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory. Students who fail to meet are considered to have withdrawn from the course unless they have previously given notice to the course responsible.

We reserve the right to change the teaching?form and examination of the course in semesters where 5 or fewer students have been admitted.

Examination

• 3 written exercises must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
• An oral presentation counts 30% towards the final grade.
• A final oral examination counts 70% towards the final grade.
• Both the oral presentation and the final examination must be passed separately in order to pass the course.

Mandatory assignments are valid for 5 semesters starting from the semester they were approved the first time.

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:?

• GEO9960 – Havets generelle sirkulasjon
• GEF4660 – The General Circulation of the Oceans (continued)
• GEF9660 – The General Circulation of the Oceans (continued)

Examination support material

Approved calculator

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are?offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.