Oceanography

Code:

EGEO3005

Acronym:

EGEO3005

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Surveying Engineering

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Chemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	1	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	56	162
L:M	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	56	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Present the fundamentals of descriptive physical oceanography, from physical properties of sea water to regional oceanography.

Develop the student’s abilities to use a high level computing language to process, visualize and analyze ocean data obtained in field campaigns, numerical models or remote sensing techniques. Being capable to analyze data (e.g. water masses) from oceanographic datasets available online.

Learning outcomes and competences

This course develops fundamental aspects of oceanography, as a necessary discipline for any student who plans to understand the marine environment. The main taught topics described below, such as hydrography and ocean water masses, or aspects related to instrumental methods are needed for students who should be able, by themselves, to achieve the objectives of the UC, and develop a critical spirit. The demonstration of the theoretical knowledge in the practical classes, facilitates an innovative and integrative approach because the knowledge acquired is extrapolated to real-world cases in which students may need to work in the future. In this way, the students develop attitudes and skills related to physical processes in oceanography.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic Calculus and principles of computing programing (in MATLAB). However, previous knowledge or practice in MATLAB is not necessary to attend the course, as these will be progressively introduced during the semester.

Program

1) Introduction to descriptive physical oceanography; some historical notes;

2) Ocean dimensions, shapes and bottom materials;

3) Physical properties of seawater;

4) Typical distributions of water characteristics;

5) Mass, salt, and heat budgets and wind forcing;

6) Data analysis concepts and observational methods;

7) Dynamical processes for descriptive ocean circulation;

8) Gravity waves, internal waves and tides; coastal and deep waters;

9) Global Ocean Circulation;

Mandatory literature

Lynne D. Talley, George L. Pickard, William J. Emery, James H. Swift; Descriptive Physical Oceanography (an introduction), Elsevier & AP, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-7506-4552-2
Joan Brown, Angela Colling, Dave Park, John Phillips, Dave Rothery, John Wright; Waves, Tides and Shallow-water processes, Gerry Bearman, 1989. ISBN: 0 7506 2827 8

Complementary Bibliography

Joan Brown, Angela Colling, Dave Park, John Phillips, Dave Rothery, John Wright; Seawater: its composition, properties and behaviour, Gerry Bearman, 1995. ISBN: 0 7506 3715 3
Joan Brown, Angela Colling, Dave Park, John Phillips, Dave Rothery, John Wright; Ocean Circulation, Gerry Bearman, 1998. ISBN: 0 7506 3716 1

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classical lectures with aid of power point and animations, graphics etc etc.

The students will learn methods to visualise and manipulate oceanographic data in MATLAB.

Software

MATLAB

keywords

Natural sciences
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Earth science > Marine sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

0.4*(TP)+0.4*(Oral Presentation)+0.2*(Presencial)