ATOC 5051 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

Class 1

INSTRUCTOR: Weiqing Han Office: SEEC N227B Phone: 303-735-3079 Class Time: TTH 2pm-3:15pm (Duane D318) Office hours: TTH 3:15-4:15pm (Duane D318)

http://storm.colorado.edu/~whan/ATOC5051/

Class-1 Self Introduction (Background information)

The Instructor: Background, Research/Teaching Interest

Weiqing Han Associate Professor: ATOC PhD: Physical Oceanography M.S: Meteorology B.S: Meteorology Visit website: http://storm.colorado.edu/~whan/webpage

Students Introduction •  Name, background, department, current status; •  Math courses have taken; •  Computer background; •  Oceanography background (have you taken

ocean-related courses before?) •  Purpose to take this course.

Short survey

Teacher centered approach to Student centered approach Faculty Teaching Excellent Program (FTEP)

1. Course teaching approach

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Prior:

New: Improve learning & critical thinking skills

2. Course Syllabus Rational:

a) Area: Ocean: covers 71% of the earth’s surface!

b) Heat capacity: Ocean has vast heat capacity--crucial for regulating global climate

c) Ocean-atmosphere interaction: coupled climate variability modes: Ocean-atmosphere interaction fosters coupled climate modes: e.g., the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean dipole, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation ~ associated with the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), etc=> These modes have global & regional climate impacts.

d) Global warming in the past century, especially since the 1950s, due to increased greenhouse gases is detected, and over 80% of the warming has gone into the ocean; The warming experienced a hiatus period in the past decade or so: role of ocean circulation & its influence on the atmosphere; Temperature increase – affects marine life: such as coral bleaching…Sea level rise: affects coastal community; Disaster: such as Tsunamis (Dec 26, 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami), Japan Tsunami (03/11/2011, Fukushima nuclear power plant leaking) Overall Course Goal: Develop appreciation of the beauty & importance of the World’s Oceans!

MATERIALS & TEXT BOOKS 1) Class notes: http://storm.colorado.edu/~whan/ATOC5051

2) Introduction to Physical Oceanography. Online textbook by Robert H. Stewart, Texas A&M University. It can also be accessed at the class website. 3) Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics. Adrian E. Gill, Academic Press, 1982. 4) An Introduction to the Dynamics of El Nino and the Southern Oscillation. Academic Press, Allan J. Clarke, 2008.

Recommended textbooks for reference:

Syllabus 1. Basins and properties of sea water 2. Ocean observations: methods and observed ocean circulations The class begins with introducing the basic background Information of physical oceanography, and describes the observation methods and advancements. Then we discuss the ocean circulation and water masses that have been observed.

3. Dynamics Equations of motion (we will emphasize on the similarities and differences between ocean/atmosphere), Newton's second law of motion, Continuity of volume, Scale analysis, geostrophic and hydrostatic balance This section explains the govern equations of the ocean, then derive the geostrophic and hydrostatic equations that the observed large scale circulation generally satisfies. It will build the foundation for the rest of the class.

4. Ocean waves Gravity waves in a non-rotating fluid, refraction and breaking in shallow Water; Effects of rotation, modified gravity waves, Rossby radius of deformation, geostrophic balance; Effects of side boundaries--coastally trapped waves; Equatorially trapped waves, boundary reflection; Waves in mid-latitude; Forced equatorial and coastal waves; Based on the equations discussed above, we introduce the transient wave processes. These waves are intrinsic to the ocean and can be excited by wind forcing. They play an important role in causing climate variability. Gill’s book will be helpful for understanding the wave dynamics

5. Mixing processes in the ocean, mixed layer & thermocline Stability and double diffusion, salt fingering; Barotropic, baroclinic, and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities; Ekman layer, Ekman spiral, Ekman transport; turbulent mixed layer, thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline.

6. Thermodynamics Surface heat fluxes; Mixed layer temperature equation; Surface salinity fluxes; Mixed layer salinity equation . Discuss the mixed-layer processes and thermodynamics in the ocean. These processes are important in explaining the SST distribution and change, which directly affect atmospheric convection and circulation.

7. Wind-driven ocean circulation Coastal ocean circulation and upwelling; Equatorial current systems, upwelling; Sverdrup relation, Sverdrup balance; Subtropical gyres, westward intensification, western boundary current.

8. El Nino and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Observations Theory: (1) delayed oscillator theory (primary focus) (2) charge-recharge theory; (3) stochastic forcing.

9. Thermohaline circulation - concept Descriptions on thermohaline processes, deep water formation, and global thermohaline circulation. Due to time constraint, we will not be able to cover detailed theories that govern the thermohaline circulation. There might be slight adjustments in the class arrangements, depending on the class progress.

Guest lecture and field trip: Dr. Mike Alexander, NOAA Physical Science Division Tentative Date: Dec. 1st Possible guest lecture: TBD: Dec. 8 (depending on the class progress) Field trip: NOAA SOS (Science On a Sphere): Tentative Date: Dec. 10, the last class.

Five problem sets & a final project. Some assignments are computer based: need access to a computer with idl (or matlab, etc. software to perform data analysis and visualization) and Internet access. Learning goal of problem sets: understand the class material & apply your knowledge to solve oceanography problem through hands-on data analysis and interpretation of ocean model results. Learning goal of final project: Promote critical and independent thinking, experience scientific research procedures, and create/propose your own research project.

Assignments

Homework

Please read the syllabus in detail! Homework & exam expectations: !  Do not seek answers from previous students; most homework &

exams are changed; !  Discussions with your fellow students are encouraged; however, “independent” completion of the homework is required.

Tentative schedules: Due time: 2pm, class beginning time Assignment #1: on Sep. 1, due Sep. 15 Assignment #2 on Sep. 15, due Sep. 29 Assignment #3 on Sep. 29, due Oct. 13 Assignment #4 on Oct. 22, due Nov. 5 Assignment #5 on Nov. 5, due Nov. 19 Final project: on Oct. 20, due Dec. 10

EXAMS

Two in-class exams: mid-term and the final. Mid-term exam (75 minutes): Oct 20, 2015, Tuesday. No books or notes are allowed. All materials covered in the lecture notes and class notes. Note that not all materials in the lecture notes are in the “class notes (by chapters)”. Final exam (2.5 hours): Thursday, Dec 17, 2015, 1:30-4:00pm (the University Schedule) The final grade will be based on the assignments (50%), the mid-term (20%) and the final exam (30%). Travel: The instructor will be on travel from Dec 1 – Dec 11. During which 4 classes are arranged: 1 last lecture, 2 guest lectures, & 1 field trip.

Others Clothing and behavior (e.g., I suggest you to shut off your cell phone during the lectures) Disability service If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your professor a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or by e-mail at dsinfo@colorado.edu. If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Medical Conditions: Injuries, Surgeries, and Illnesses guidelines under Quick Links at Disability Services website and discuss your needs with your professor.

Religious observance Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. If you have such conflicts, please let me know a week ahead of the scheduled exams or due dates, which will allow me sometime to accommodate you. The makeup exams will be “before” the scheduled dates. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.

Classroom behavior’ policy and faculty rights and responsibilities Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

Discrimination and harassment The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment. The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. (Regent Law, Article 10, amended 11/8/2001). CU-Boulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected Classes or related retaliation against or by any employee or student. For purposes of this CU-Boulder policy, "Protected Classes" refers to race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://hr.colorado.edu/dh/

Honor code All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://honorcode.colorado.edu

See you on Thursday!