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Instructors:
Prof. Katja Fennel (katja.fennel@dal.ca)
Office: LSC Oceanography #2635
Phone: 494 4526
Office hours: By appointment

Dr. Laura Bianucci (laura.bianucci@dal.ca)
Office: LSC Oceanography #2618
Phone: 494 3655
Office hours: By appointment

Course Times:

Location:  

Course Objectives: This course is designed to introduce a variety of modeling techniques useful in oceanography and the natural sciences in general.  The main objective is to provide an overview of a range of techniques, rather than exhaustive and in depth discussion of any particular technique.   The approach is to introduce techniques, discuss their assumptions and limitations, and apply them to simple problems in oceanography and earth sciences.  This is accomplished by a combination of lectures and labs.  At the end of this course, students should have an understanding of various modeling approaches and their applicability; as a result, they will be better placed to both carry out their own research, and to critically evaluate the literature.  Opportunities exist to tailor course material to meet specific needs of individual students.

Approach A series of more or less independent modules will be presented, each of which will include an introduction to a particular technique, some examples, and an assignment in which the student will have the opportunity to apply the techniques to simple problems.

Course Assessment: Grades for the course will be assigned based on performance on 3 assignments (40%), on regular pop quizzes (20%), and on a term project, which will be presented, orally and in written form (40%).  The project will include a critical analysis of two modeling techniques used in the literature to approach a single problem.

Prerequisites:  Physical Oceanography (OCEA 4120), Math to PDE’s (e.g. MATH 4220) or Instructor’s consent.

Logistics: Access to MATLAB on your own computer will be crucial. The oceanography department is prepared to provide you with a temporary license if you do not have access already (it is to be used for teaching purposes only and will have to be removed after the term).

Recommended Readings:

Lecture and Lab Materials (password protected):

Lectures: Folder

Labs: Folder