Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Weather and Climate Systems and Atmospheric Environmental Processes.

Plus Calculus 2 or 620-143 Applied Mathematics (prior to 2009).

This subject addresses the fundamental processes that govern atmospheric and oceanic motion, and how these processes interact to control the weather and climate of the Earth. Topics include the fluid dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, the scaling of the equations of motion, the shallow-water system, vorticity and divergence, buoyancy driven flows, and numerical modelling of atmospheric and oceanic flows.On completion of this subject, students should have an appreciation of the fundamental processes that govern atmospheric and oceanic motion and interactions on a range of time and spatial scales. Students will also receive experience in constructing simplified models of the atmosphere and ocean.

This subject builds on the skills obtained in the first and second year subjects in atmospheric and oceanic sciences, and presents a quantitative treatment of atmospheric and oceanic dynamics. On completion of this subject students should have an understanding of the physical processes that govern atmospheric and oceanic motions on a range of time and spatial scales, and appreciate how these processes form the basis of atmospheric and oceanic models.

Four practical assignments not exceeding 500 words each (40%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (60%). The assignments will be set at approximately equal intervals throughout the semester.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

The subject builds on the skills obtained in the first and second year subjects in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. A focus of the subject is to enhance your ability to think critically of the importance of physical processes occurring in the atmosphere and ocean. The course will challenge you to see these media as an integrated whole, and extend your understanding of complex physical systems. It will also lead you to be able to carefully interpret the meaning and value of various types of data, and use computational techniques to further your understanding of the atmosphere / ocean system.

In the subject there is continuous assessment through the semester to allow you to be conscious of the level of new skills and understandings that you are gaining. Efficient management of your time is an important factor influencing your level of performance in these assessments and the final exam. It is important that you supplement the material in lectures and practical with your own exploration of the topics covered.