2020-2021 / OCEA0036-1

Structures and applications of marine hydrodynamic models

Duration

15h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Alexander Barth

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course begins with an overview of the different approximations of the hydrodynamical equations which are at the heart of numerical ocean models. The range of applications and their limitations is discussed. The interactions between the ocean and atmosphere, rivers, sea bed and topography are presented and formalized by deriving appropriate boundary conditions. The choice of the vertical coordinate in an ocean model is an important aspect and the different options are discussed. The complex coastline and bottom topography of the ocean often require a careful design of the horizontal grid of the ocean model. Different time stepping approaches in ocean models are introduced to account for the broad range of resolved processes with different time scales. An overview of different discretization schemes is also given.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aim of this course is to give an overview of different ocean models and to understand to which problems the ocean models can be applied. The course should also give the necessary basis to correctly implement an ocean model.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Physical oceanography
Programming skills in Julia, Matlab/Octave, Python or similar programming languages
 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The practical work is integrated into the oral theory class.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Ten 3-hour courses

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Lecture given by video conference

Recommended or required readings

Course notes are available at
http://labos.ulg.ac.be/gher/home/people/alexander-barth/ocea0036/
 
 

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Written work on a proposed subject.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Alexander Barth (a.barth@ulg.ac.be)

Items online

Course web page
Written notes and animations are available at this web page.