FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: ATM OCN 311 and ( MATH 319 , 320 , or 376 ), or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness Breadth - Physical Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the general physical characteristics and properties of the ocean and the relationships between them via the thermodynamic equation of state of seawater Audience: Undergraduate 2. Write down the general equations that govern movement in the ocean including gyre circulations, the meridional overturning circulation, waves, and tides Audience: Undergraduate 3. Understand how the ocean’s physical characteristics, properties, and spatial structure arise from thermodynamics and the general equations of motion Audience: Undergraduate 4. Describe the ocean’s role in Earth’s climate and apply concepts in the course to novel situations or further research Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe the general physical characteristics and properties of the ocean and the relationships between them via the thermodynamic equation of state of seawater Audience: Undergraduate 2. Write down the general equations that govern movement in the ocean including gyre circulations, the meridional overturning circulation, waves, and tides Audience: Undergraduate 3. Understand how the ocean’s physical characteristics, properties, and spatial structure arise from thermodynamics and the general equations of motion Audience: Undergraduate 4. Describe the ocean’s role in Earth’s climate and apply concepts in the course to novel situations or further research Audience: Undergraduate