OVERVIEW

Starting from the definition of the atmospheric  properties and the temporal and spatial variability of air masses, the main mechanisms of regional and large scale circulation will be discussed.Starting from the definition of the sea water properties and the temporal and spatial variability of water masses, the main mechanisms of regional and large scale circulation will be discussed.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Composition of the atmosphere, microscale, mesoscale, synoptic scale. Dynamic meteorology. Weather forecasting. Air–ocean interactions. Use the knowledge of spatial and temporal variability of water masses to plan surveys and to understand the results from process and forecasting numerical models.

Process and analyze sea level data to define local tidal regimes and to predict the tides. Identify the phenomena affecting the sea level variability acting on the different time and spatial scales. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The characterization of the tide in terms of tidal forces and local hydrographic features and the effect of non-tidal influences on the sea level variations are a particular support to the oceanographic and hydrographic knowledge.

The course is constituted by three modules: Meteorology, Oceanography 1 (1 semester) and preparatory to Oceanography 2 (2 semester)

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons and discussion of home exercises

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is constituted by three modules: Meteorology, Oceanography 1 and Oceanography 2

Meteorology (3 CFU): Atmospheric heat and vapor budget. Stability and mixing processes. Air mass formation and distributions. Navier Stokes equations. Geostrophic wind. Introduction to numerical solution of dynamic equations.

Oceanography 1 (4 CFU): Oceanic heat and water budget; Sea water properties; Stability and mixing process; Water mass formation and distribution; Navier Stokes equations.; Geostrophic and Ekman currents. Introduction to numerical solution of dynamic equations.

Oceanography 2 (3 CFU): Time series analysis; Fourier and harmonic analysis; Tides generating forces; Tidal constituents and tidal regimes; Amphidromic points, co-tidal and co-range lines. Tidal currents. Methods for tidal prediction; Resonance and Seiches; Non-tidal sea level variations. Sea Waves

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holton J.R., An introduction to dynamic meteorology, volume 48, third edition , Academic Press, 1992.

Donald Ahrens C., Meteorology today: an introduction to weather, climate and the environment, 9th edition, 2017, free version available on Amazon.com

Pond S., Pickard G.L., Introductory Dynamical Oceanography Elsevier, 1995, ISBN: 978-0-08-057054-9

Simon B., Coastal Tides. Institut Oceanographique, Fondation Albert Ier, Prince de Monaco, 2013, ISBN 978-2-903581-83-1 pdf. Free version available online

Stewart R.H., Introduction to Physical Oceanography, 2006 pdf free version available on line

Talley L.D., Pickard G.L., Emery W., Swift J., Descriptive Physical Oceanography: an introduction. Elsevier, 2011 ISBN: 978-0750645522

Thomson R.E., Emery W., Data Analysis Methods in Oceanography. Elsevier, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-12-387782-6

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

NICOLA CORRADI (President)

LORENZO PAPA (President)

PAOLA PICCO (President)

LAURA CANESI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 2017

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written test and oral

Exam schedule