MT4OCC: Fundamentals of Ocean Circulation and Climate

Module code: MT4OCC

Module provider: Meteorology; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 4 (Undergraduate Masters)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Remi Tailleux, email: r.g.j.tailleux@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Keith Haines, email: k.haines@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE MT2AOD OR TAKE MT24A (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

To give an overview of modern approaches to the observation, theory and modelling of the physical oceans. To enable students to understand how ocean circulation develops through interactions with the atmosphere, and how it plays a critical role in determining current climate as well as long-timescale changes in the climate system. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Explain how ocean observations are made, how ocean circulation works and how it interacts with the climate system; 
2. Make quantitative estimations of water properties and currents from hydrographic observations; 
3. Possess a basic understanding of the design of numerical ocean models, and  what can be learned from them; 
4. Solve basic problems in ocean dynamics. 

Module content

1. Overview of the large-scale ocean circulation; methods of observing the large-scale circulation and observational difficulties; 
2. Dynamical equations governing the oceans. Wind-driven circulation theory. The Ekman, Sverdrup, and Stommel models. Western boundary currents; 
3. Thermohaline circulation: mechanically-driven or buoyancy-driven? Energetics and thermodynamics of turbulent mixing in stratified fluids. Multiple equilibria. Link with the meridional transport of heat, and climate.  
4. Hot topics (may evolve from year to year. Examples include: theory of the Antarctic circumpolar current and meso-scale eddies, machine learning and numerical ocean modelling, carbon cycle, coastal oceanography; equatorial dynamics; energetics; ocean heat uptake; sea level change; ocean mixing ) 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

• Use of recorded screencasts for lecture material 
• Some in person delivery of lectures and seminars, especially for topic material  
• Supervised Exam style problem classes 
• Consolidating in-person activities based on interactive quizzes, collaborative discussions about questions, etc.  
• Formative Computational exercises and Summative supervised project  

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs