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Instructor:
Katja Fennel (katja.fennel@dal.ca)
Office: LSC Oceanography #2634
Phone: 494 4526
Office hours: By appointment
Course Times: Sept 3, 10, 17, 24 from 1 to 4 pm
Location: Computer Sciences Building, teaching lab 2 (September 3) and teaching lab 1 (September 10, 17, 24)
Course Objectives: Analysis and visualization of oceanographic data (including measurements and output from numerical models) increasingly relies on high-level software applications. This module will cover, in a hands-on format, practical examples of data analysis and visualization using MATLAB, a powerful software that is widely used in oceanography and the natural sciences. Basic familiarity with MATLAB is a prerequisite (please enquire if in doubt). Topics include advanced plotting in 2D and 3D, numerical solution of differential equations, simple box model applications and an introduction to object-oriented programming. Topics will be tailored to and finalized based on student interest.
Approach: Meetings will be split into roughly 50% of lecture time where techniques and the relevant numerical concepts for data analysis, visualization and modeling will be introduced and discussed, and 50% of hands-on projects, which will then be discussed and compared in groups and presented to the whole class by one group member.
Course Assessment: Grades for this module will be assigned based on performance on 4 (weekly) assignments (80%) and class participation (20%).
Prerequisites: Marine Modelling (OCEA 4380/5380) or Ecosystem Modelling (OCEA5680/ENGM6680) 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:
- Davis TA and Sigmon K (2005) MATLAB primer, Chapman & Hall/CRC
- Hahn BD and Valentine DT (2007) Essential MATLAB for engineers and scientists, Butterworth-Heinemann (Elsevier)
Schedule:
| Date | Topic | Instructor |
| 3-Sep | Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | Fennel |
| 10-Sep | Advanced Data Formats & Graphics | Fennel |
| 17-Sep | Numerical Root Finding | Fennel |
| 24-Sep | Object-oriented Programming | Mattern |
| Date | Slides | Scripts |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Sep | week1 slides | week1 scripts directory |
| 10-Sep | week2 scripts directory | |
| 17-Sep | week3 slides | week3 scripts directory |
| 24-Sep | week4 slides |