Ocean Dynamics and the Carbon Cycle
Course content
In this course we will discuss three of the world's ocean major circulation systems and how they support the marine ecosystem: the subtropical gyre, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the meridional overturning circulation. The focus will be on the manipulation of the equations of motion to derrive simple analytical models of these systems. Observations and numerical models will then be used to fill these equations with life.
MSc Programme in Physics
Knowledge:
The purpose of this course is that the student obtains a basic
understanding of the dynamics of the large scale circulation, and
the carbon cycle.
Skills:
When the course is finished it is expected that the student is able
to:
- Explain the energetic of the meridional overturning circulation
- Understand the relevance of friction and mixing for the ocean circulation
- Explain the main components of the marine carbon cycle.
-
Set up, run, and analyze a full Earth system model
Competences:
The course introduces the student to the equations of motion for a
continuous medium. The student will learn how to use scaling
analysis to reduce the complexity of partial differential
equations. Finally the student will combine the resulting equations
with observations and numerical model results to relate the
different forcing mechanisms to the relevant part of the ocean
circulation.
Lectures. Weekly hand-in exercises.
See Absalon for final course material. The following is an example of suggested course material:
'Ocean Dynamics and the Carbon Cycle' by Williams and Follows.
A good understanding of classical mechanics. The math requisites
are understanding of partial differential equations.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is
recommended.
The course is identical to NFYK14027U Steady Ocean Circulation.
It is not allowed to pass both courses.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral examination, 25 minutesoral exam without preparation time.
- Aid
- Without aids
- Marking scale
- passed/not passed
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assessment
see learning outcome
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 30
- Preparation
- 145,5
- Exercises
- 30
- Exam
- 0,5
- English
- 206,0
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NFYK20000U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
- Schedulegroup
-
B
- Capacity
- no limitation
The number of seats may be reduced in the late registration period - Studyboard
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Markus Jochum (7-7673786c717e7649776b7237747e376d74)
Teacher
Markus Jochum
Katherine Richardson
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Courseinformation of students