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Instructor:
Katja Fennel (katja.fennel@dal.ca)
Office: LSC Oceanography #2634
Phone: 494 4526
Office hours: By appointment
Course Times: Oct 3, 5, 12, 14 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Location: 2nd floor fish bowl in the Oceanography Department
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.
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-Oct | Numerical Solution of Differential Equations | Fennel |
| 5-Oct | Advanced Data Formats & Graphics | Fennel |
| 12-Oct | Numerical Root Finding | Fennel |
| 14-Oct | Object-oriented Programming | Mattern |
| Date | Slides | Scripts |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Oct | Meeting 1 | Folder |
| 5-Oct | Folder | |
| 12-Oct | Meeting 3 | Folder |
| 14-Oct | Meeting 4 |