Department of Physics

19412  Physical Oceanography 

Course Webpage: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/PHYS355/ 

Course Content

• Introduction to physical oceanography: Physical characteristics of sea water, the main questions and goals.
• The conservation laws in physical oceanography and the dynamical frame of the oceanic system.
• The theory of oceanic wind-driven gyres and the western boundary intensification.
• The theory of buoyancy-driven and abyssal circulation of the ocean.
• Wave solutions and instabilities in the ocean: Barotropic and baroclinic waves in the ocean and the adjustment of the ocean circulation.
• Equatorial dynamics and the El Niño system.