SO335: Quantitative Methods for Meteorology and Oceanography

Fall2018

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Bradford S. Barrett,

OFFICE & PHONE: Chauvenet 216; Office phone (410) 293-6567

Text

1. Notes available online at chapters 1-11.

Optional texts

  1. Your Calc III and Differential Equations books from 3/C and/or 4/C year
  2. Pond, S., and G. L. Pickard. Introductory Dynamical Oceanography 2nd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 1983. ISBN: 978-0750624961
  3. Batchelor, G. K. An Introduction to FluidDynamics, Cambridge University press, Cambridge, UK. 2000. ISBN: 0521663962
  4. Acheson, D. J. Elementary Fluid Dynamics, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. 2000. ISBN: 0198596790

Web page:

All course information, including copies of lecture notes, homework, labs, and lab data, will be hosted at

Assessment:

Final grades will be based upon the following:

2 Exams (@ 17.5% each) 35.0 %

MATLAB Quiz 7.5 %

Labs20.0 %

Assignments 12.5 %

Final Exam 25.0 %

Class participation+/-3%

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Total100%

POLICY STATEMENT

  1. Student Learning Outcomes (mapped to Oceanography Department Student Learning Outcomes, DSLOs; see

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Describe meteorological and oceanographic processes, particularly fluid parcel motion, using both physical examples and mathematical notation. (DSLO #2, 3, and 4)
  • Derive, interpret, and solve problems using the fundamental equations that govern air and water motion. (DSLO #4)
  • Speak with confidence about the Navier-Stokes governing equations. (DSLO #2, 4)
  • Derive two basic governing principles: conservation of mass and momentum. (DSLO #4)
  • Manipulate atmospheric and oceanic geospatial data sets in MATLAB and analyze the resulting products to understand key processes in the atmosphere and ocean. (DSLO #3, 5)
  • Apply techniques you learned in vector calculus and differential equations to describe the three-dimensional distributions of temperature and momentum in the atmosphere and ocean. (DSLO #2)
  • Think critically about meteorological and oceanographic dynamical processes. (DSLO # 2, 3, and 4)
  1. Expectations

My expectations for you in this course are that you will:

  • Respect the learning environment, both in and out of the classroom. Come prepared to each class, skimming the chapter notes (available online) before each lecture. Ask constructive questions during lecture. Ask for and attend EI.
  • Work together to help each other learn.
  • Bring a positive attitude, especially when you find the material frustrating.
  • Be prepared to be challenged to think critically about the dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean.
  • Leave the course having learned about the amazing atmosphere and ocean, and picked up useful programming skills in MATLAB.

3. Strategies for success in this course

This is a demanding course. It is one of the more advanced courses you will take in Oceanography. Based on student feedback, here are several strategies for success:

  • Recognize that the material is difficult, but not impossible. I.e., don’t give up.
  • Review the lecture material twice daily: once before class and again after class. Pay special attention to the math notation. Come to class with specific questions about things you do not understand. All lecture notes are available online.
  • Ask questions in class. Ask for and attend Extra Instruction.
  • Read the lab activities thoroughly before starting the exercise.
  • Save your labs, as later labs use and build on the commands you learn in early labs.
  • Work, and re-work, example problems from lecture and course notes.
  • Write out derivations, and then studying from the worked problems and derivations.
  • Relax, and enjoy the learning process.

Now, for the more formal part:

1. Classroom decorum:

  • I will assign a Section Leader who will become familiar with COMDTMIDNISNT 1080.1 series (Subj: Academic Accountability System). The Section Leader will be responsible for calling the class to attention at the start and reporting absences to the instructor.
  • We will follow proper military etiquette and courtesy at all times. I expect the same standards of appearance and conduct that your company officer expects.
  • Do not bring food or drink into the Oceanography Department classrooms (exception – you may bring non-disposable bottles of water, etc for drinking). It is imperative that we keep our spaces clean and neat.
  • If you bring a cell phone to class, please make sure it is turned off. The computers in the classroom are meant for instructional purposes only. Please refrain from unauthorized use during classtime, including playing games, sending email, messages, or snapchats, or working on assignments for other classes. Do not add any software to the computers, and do not print material for other classes on the Oceanography Department printers.
  • Collaboration, notes, "crib sheets", and roving eyes constitute cheating when used on any test, quiz, or final exam. I will handle instances of cheating in accordance with policies set by the Academic Dean. The standard-issue calculators will not be used during exams. Calculators purchased by the Oceanography Department will be provided for exams.

2. Extra Instruction (E.I.):

E.I. will routinely be scheduled prior to each major examination. Individual E.I. also is available upon request;please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. I am generally in my office from 0930 to 1830, with the exception of my scheduled class periods, meetings, and lunch hours. This semester, I teach TR 12 and 56, and advise research students F5 and MW6. You are welcome to come by for EI during any non-teaching period, although I recommend you see me or send me an email to set an appointment.

3. Absenteeism:

The attendance policy is established by the Academic Dean. In most cases, missing classes is not in your best interest. If you must miss a class, notify me in advance. Course notes are available online. Talk with another student to see what was specifically covered. Missed handouts, if not on the course web site, may be obtained by contacting me. Penalty for late work: one letter grade per day.

4. Materials and Class Preparation:

Most material for this course will be available at:

Some course material(e.g., animations) may also be available on the Google shared folders

5. Homework assignments and Labs

Students are encouraged to work collaboratively for assignments (i.e., homework) and lab exercises. However, to maximize each student’s learning, each student must complete the assignment individually. Students must put all deliverables in their own words. Things like steps in a derivation, MATLAB code and written physical explanations must be your own language, handwriting, and coding style. Use your partner as a resource, not a crutch. Lab activities will make heavy use of MATLAB to help visualize examples of fluid motion and solutions of governing equations. It is expected that each student understands all the answers of the turned-in assignment and lab. Although students will be working together, each student must turn in his or her own homework assignment and lab. Finally, assignments and labs are due per the syllabus schedule.

6. Exams:

Two full period exams are scheduled on the Syllabus. A comprehensive final exam will be given at the conclusion of the course. There also will be a MATLAB “Quiz” given around week 14that will cover the fundamental commands learned throughout the semester. This quiz will count for7.5% of your overall grade.

If you are unable to attend a major exam or quiz, you must contact me prior to the exam, or bring a written excuse signed by your company officer, to reschedule. A missed exam due to an unexcused absence will be given a grade of zero. Missed exams due to excused absences must be rescheduled within 1 week following the original exam; otherwise, a grade of zero will be assigned.

7. Assessment

Midshipmen must complete all assignments, labs, quizzes, and exams in the course. Final grades will be assigned in accordance with the percentages on the first page of this Policy Statement. Note that participation counts for +/- 3%, meaning a student can gain (or lose) up to 1/3 a letter grade through exemplary (or sub-par) class participation.

Finally, note that a grade of “F” on the final exam means that you can earn no higher than a “C” in the course.