OVERVIEW

The teaching of Oceanographic measurements and instrumentation is both "in itself" and "preliminary" to the Applied Physical Oceanography course and deals with providing the physical and instrumental bases for oceanographic research and environmental monitoring from a geological point of view. It is indispensable for environmental protection and for planning coastal and deep sea marine-maritime works.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide basic knowledge of physical oceanography and oceanographic instruments; we will develop the issues related to the physical parameters of the water masses, to the waves and currents, and to the ocean circulation. We will also analyze the main oceanographic instruments such as CTDs, XBT and XCTD, current meters “single-point”, ADCPs with its application software, wavemeters and tide gauges, and mooring equipped.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The attendance of the course will provide the student with the basic knowledge of physical oceanography and oceanographic instrumentation with the related application software, knowledge necessary for the course of study that the student has undertaken.

In detail, the Student will be able to:

•      describe and identify the different masses of water and their movements;
•      connect and correlate meteorological and marine phenomena;
•      recognize oceanographic instrumentation and use it at sea;
•      analyze and criticize real case studies;
•      design an oceanographic campaign independently.

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will be held in person in the first semester of each year. The activities at sea will be organized with multiple shifts, verifying the possibility of carrying them out.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

•      physical parameters of the masses of water;
•      "real and non-real" movements of the masses of water;
•      portable oceanographic instrumentation;
•      real case studies;
•      preparation and participation in an oceanographic campaign.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course notes and Teacher Powerpoints will be uploaded in AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See what is reported on EasyAcademy for the Academic Year 2025-26

Class schedule

OCEANOGRPHIC MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is conducted in an oral manner.

Every year, at the end of the teaching, a written test is organized for students of the current academic year only, with which those who wish can verify their skills and test the level of knowledge of the subject. The test is absolutely optional.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the theoretical and practical lessons, and will aim to evaluate both whether the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge and whether he/she has acquired the ability to connect all the theoretical information by applying it to real situations. Language skills and knowledge of correct scientific and technical terminology will also be assessed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Frequency strongly recommended.

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.