Physical Oceanography

This course is an introduction to physical oceanography for civil and offshore engineering students, introducing them to the basic physical concepts behind oceanography. The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the basic physics governing our oceans, from our estuaries and coasts to the deep ocean. Therefore, in this course emphasis is placed on the fundamental physical processes occurring in the ocean. This provides a basis for understanding geostrophic flows, tides, internal waves, estuary and river plume dynamics, the wind-driven ocean circulation and the thermohaline (density-driven) deep ocean circulation and its role for climate.