Intro to Physical Oceanography · Earth And Environmental Sciences
Physical oceanography with a high focus on dispersal and mixing
I learned about the basics of ocean physics, which will help me in my field.
I learned about oceanography from the perspective of physics and mathematics. As a chemist, it was a different perspective than what I was used to but one that will be very useful!
thermodynamics + equations of motion governing earth's oceans
The processes that dictate the flow and characteristics of the ocean, both on the broader circulation and particulate composition levels.
how salinity and temperature effect ocean dynamics
I would recommend if you already have a some training in physics and/or oceanography. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2021 Course: EESCGU4925_001_2021_3-INTROTOPHYSICALOCEANOGRAPHY : EESCGU4925_001_2021_3 - INTRO TO PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY Instructor: Ryan Abernathey
Expectations of knowledge were unclear. Concepts never fully made sense.
Would have loved to see more physics and math applications.
Unless you have very specific intensions of going into physical oceanography and some preexisting knowledge of the subject, you will likely find this course extremely challenging and stressful. It is essentially a fluid dynamics course. The professor is a very kind person but the subject is unforgiving. There is no information on the internet about this subject so if you dont get what he is saying in class, you are in trouble. Classes are also not recorded so if you fall behind in lecture, you are again going to find yourself in trouble. Most equations never have variables defined so figuring out what they mean is particularly hard. There are tons of equations and its never clear which ones to use or when to apply them. There is very little opportunity to practice what you learn prior to tests, and there is no study guide (at least this semester there wasnt) so you dont know what to prepare for. Tests are not multiple choice. Unless you have a physics or calculus academic background, this will not feel like an introductory class. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2022 Course: EESCGU4925_001_2022_3-INTROTOPHYSICALOCEANOGRAPHY : EESCGU4925_001_2022_3 - INTRO TO PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY Instructor: Andreas Thurnherr