Physical Oceanography
Dr. George A. Maul
Florida Institute of Technology × College of Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Science × Engineering × Management
Oceanography × Ocean Engineering × Environmental Science × Meteorology
Coastal Zone Management × Environmental Resource Management
Course: OCN 3401 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3 credits)
200 5 -200 6 Catalog Data: Studies water structure and circulation of the World Ocean and local areas by simple dynamical and descriptive models; and tides, wave motion and coastal processes. (Prerequisite: PHY 2002 ).
CRN: 82094
Textbook: Knauss, J.A. Introduction to Physical Oceanography, 2nd edition, ó1997 Prentice Hall.
Course Objectives: Gain a general quantitative understanding of the ocean as a component of the Earth System. Emphasis is on calculus-based physical principles, with practical applications to ocean forecasting, simulation of professional experience, field observations, and group projects.
Course Website: The course website is on a fit.blackboard.com site. To access the Blackboard site, go to ckboard.com, click on “Create Account”, and fill in the required fields. Once you have created an account, enter fit.blackboard.com using your user-name and password, click on the “Courses” tab, and then type OCN3401 in the “Course Search” tab.
Topics Covered:
Week 1: Overview;
Week 2*: The stratified ocean
Week 3: Transfer of heat across the ocean surface
Week 4*: Global balances - the conservation equations
Week 5: Review; Hour Exam #1
Week 6: Equations of motion
Week 7: Effect of Earth’s rotation; CRUISE # 1 (stratification and currents)
Week 8*: Major ocean currents; Term paper topic and abstract due
Week 9: Distribution of temperature and salinity
Week 10*: Wind generated waves
Week 11: Review: Hour Exam #2; CRUISE # 2 (marine meteorology)
Week 12: Tides and other waves; Term papers due
Week 13: Coastal ocean and semi-enclosed seas
Week 14*: Sound and optics
Week 15: Oral Presentations
Week 16: Review
* Homework Due-Dates
Class Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-3:15 PM; Room LS129
September 2: Last day to drop a class without receiving a grade of W
October 14: Last day to withdraw from class with a grade of W
November 10: Term papers due
Final Exam: Thursday, December 15th; 3:30-5:30PM
Final Grade: The course grade will be based on two hour exams (10% each), quizzes (always based on the reading for an upcoming class) (10%), final exam (25%), term paper 20% (written + oral), and problems (25%). Grades: A: 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D: 60-69; F <60.
Contribution of course to meeting ABET professional component:
Engineering Science: 3 credits or 100%
Engineering Design: 0 credits or 0%
Relationship of course to program ABET objectives (Note: DMES Ocean Engineering Program must demonstrate that their graduates have):
(a) An ability to apply knowledge, science, and engineering.
(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
(c) An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
(d) An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
(e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
(f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
(g) An ability to communicate effectively.
(h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in global and societal context.
(i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning.
(j) A knowledge of contemporary issues.
(k) An ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
(l) Knowledge and skills to apply the principles of probability and statistics.
(m) Knowledge and skills to apply the principles of oceanography, water waves, and underwater acoustics to engineering problems.
(n) An ability to integrate multiple technical areas.
(o) An understanding of the necessity for design optimization.
Person who prepared this description and date:
George A. Maul, Ph.D. - August 22, 2005
Professor of Oceanography and Department Head
Department of Marine and Environmental Systems
Room 113, Link Building
College of Engineering × Florida Institute of Technology
150 West University Boulevard × Melbourne FL 32901
Tel: 321 674 7453; Fax: 321 674 7212; Email:
Departmental Website: .edu/dmes
Personal Website: .edu/~gmaul
Teaching Assistant s:
Christopher Flanary (Office Hours: TR 12:30-2:00 (Link 124); Tel: 727-3649; Email: .
Luce Bassetti (Office Hours: MW 09:00-11:00 (Link 124); Tel: 917-2458; Email .
Requirements:
In addition to the material in the textbooks, a term paper is required relating physical oceanography to your academic major, and to give the paper as a 5-minute oral presentation in the style of MTS (Marine Technology Society) national meetings. The paper is to be two pages long, single-spaced typed, double column (Geophysical Research Letters format – visit the library), including title, author, figures, references, and acknowledgments. Assignments must be turned in on time; no credit for late submissions. Attend class regularly!
Expectations:
You can expect that your instructors will be prepared, on-time, courteous, and engaged. You are expected to be prepared, courteous, on-time, and engaged! By this it is meant come to class a few minutes early and do not leave until the class is dismissed, that cellphone ringers are off and calls are forwarded to messaging, excused absences are arranged in advance, and an environment of respect and learning is maintained at all times. Never plagiarize!
Suggestions :
Read the assigned chapter before coming to class; bring the textbook to class as we will be discussing many of the figures during the lectures; answer all the questions in the homework assignments; rewrite your notes after each lecture. We will briefly review the previous lecture at the start of each class - this is a good time to ask questions; start a personal glossary of terms. See me immediately if you are having difficulty with the material - don't wait until the exams!
Cruises:
Field trips are planned on the R/V Delphinus for two cruises: currents and water properties, on October 4, 5, 6, and for marine meteorology cruises on November 1, 2, 3; cruises are 0800-1200 – PLAN NOW TO MISS OTHER CLASSSES. We have three days in each of the weeks noted above, and will work around the weather; all three days in each month may not be necessary.
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