Course content

Molecular diffusion, dynamic and kinematic viscosity,
Reynolds number, importance of above factors for growth of
micro-organisms, turbulence (”turbulent diffusion”), interpretation
of hydrographical data, thermohaline circulation and formation of
eddies, deep and bottom water production, Coriolis effect, Ekman
spiral and –layer, Rossby numbers and radius of deformation,
Sverdrup transport, marine optics and photosynthesis, nutrient and iron kinetics, acidification of the seas, marine climate, climate oscillations. Mathematics is restricted in the main to a few steady-state equations.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
Important definitions in biological oceanography
Water movements and circulation at different scales
Impact of water movements on organisms, especially the relationship between photosynthetic micro-organisms and vertical mixing
Growth kinetics of phyto and zooplankton
Impact of climate variation on plankton and fish

Skills:
Understanding of the relationship between organisms and their environment in Nature
Understanding why water movements yield different conditions for growth in the sea
Understanding how variations in marine climate affect marine populations and communities
Understanding that ocean and atmosphere are coupled systems with strong impact on marine communities

General competency (attitudes):
Understanding that abiotic marine phenomena and biology are closely coupled and that the atmosphere plays a role
Convey the knowledge to experts and lay people
Ability to communicate with colleagues in adjacent disciplines
Ability to contribute positively on oceanic cruises

Learning methods and activities

Classes are given in English, including slides in English. Classes are multinational and include students outside MACODEV. In addition to traditional lectures, the students are divided into groups of 2 or 3 students, of which each group is given a theme (inside the curriculum) upon which they shall give an oral presentation with slides, of maximum 25 minutes. The presentation counts 40 % of the given grade.


Compulsory activity

Presentation, classes (maximum 4 days of absence permitted)

Compulsory assignments

• Approved project

Recommended previous knowledge

BI 2060, BI 2061 or eqvivalent
International students: Knowledge in marine science corresponding to the above

Credit reductions