MT24ANU-Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 / 2 module
Pre-requisites: MT11DNU Weather and Climate Fundamentals
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr David Ferreira
Email: d.g.ferreira@reading.ac.uk

NUIST Module Lead: Miao Yu
Email: yum@nuist.edu.cn

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is an introduction to the fluid dynamics that drives the ocean and atmosphere circulations.

 

Aims:

This module aims to introduce the physical processes affecting fluid motion on various scales in the atmosphere and ocean, building up to the equations used in studying atmospheric and oceanic motions, and to solve related fluid flow problems. The concepts will be illustrated by reference to atmospheric and oceanic phenomena and through videos of laboratory demonstrations, explained by the lecturer.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, the student should be able to:

• Describe the physical processes affecting a fluid, including the effects of rotation and stratification;


• Estimate relevant non-dimensional parameters;


• Make quantitative use of the equations of motion for the atmosphere and ocean; Solve quantitative problems relating to these flows;


• Categorize and explain the dynamics of basic atmospheric and oceanic flows;


• Analyze various atmospheric and oceanic motions and propose dynamically-sound rationales for these motions.

Additional outcomes:

Students will enhance their problem solving skills.

Outline content:

 Autumn semester

• The nature of fluids, pressure, pressure gradient force; Streamlines and Bernoulli’s theorem;


• Circulation and vorticity, vortex tubes, irrotational flows;


• Review of basic calculus required for this course, Eulerian and Lagrangian derivatives; Viscosity, Reynolds number;


• Navier-Stokes equations, the primitive equations;


• Rotation effects, Coriolis and centrifugal forces,inertial oscillations, Rossby number;


• Vorticity equation and mechanisms for changing vorticity;

Spring semester

• Buoyancy and Stratific ation, buoyancy oscillations, Richardson number;


• Thermal wind, Burger number, Rossby deformation radius;


• Blasius boundary layer, Ekman layer, Ekman number; Barotropic flow over orography;


• Sverdrup balance, application to wind-driven gyres and abyssal flow; Waves, phase and group velocity, wave dispersion, wave breaking; Linearization of the equations of motion, dispersion relations; Internal gravity waves, Rossby waves, Kelvin waves;


• Introduction to turbulence and chaos.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module includes blended teaching and learning methods, involving pre-reading/thinking, teaching in classroom, interactive group discussion, problem-solving classes, and take home assignments etc.. 

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	20	20
Tutorials	20	20
Practicals classes and workshops	8	8
Guided independent study:	52	52
Total hours by term
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Set exercise	30
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hour  written exam each semester.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Mid-term class test and around 5 homeworks as set exercises each semester.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

August/September examination only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 17 April 2023