MAST 687 Coastal Oceanography: From Physics to Fish
last updated 01/31/2001

Course Information

• MAST-667 is a second semester physical oceanography class that extends and applies the physical principles learnt in "Introduction to Physical Oceanography" (MAST-602) to the coastal ocean.
• MAST-602 constitutes the only pre-requisite for successful completion of MAST-667.
• The course is designed specifically for graduate students that pursue a more biologically oriented course of study.

Instructor Information

• I am a coastal physical oceanographer who got wet and cold at locations from 36S to 80N latitude and from 170W to 50E longitude sailing the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans.
• My teaching philosophy can be summed up as
  • Go to Sea
  • Work Hard
  • Have Fun.

Course Description

• The course will address selected topics of physical oceanography that impact biological productivity. The goal is to convey
  • academic knowledge (lectures in the mornings),
  • technical skills (workshops in the afternoons), and
  • ability to combine knowledge and skills to critically interpret data (projects).
• This is an experimental class. It emphasizes novel computer-based technical over more traditional calculus-based problem solving skills.
• The course covers a nitch at the intersection of physics, biology, and information technology.

Course Structure

• The course structure resembles a 2x2 matrix, that is

  -	Knowledge	Skill
  Theory	x	x
  Application	x	x

• Morning sessions will emphasize Knowledge conveyed in a lecture format.
• Afternoon sessions will emphasize Skill conveyed in a workshop format.
• Theory will be the focus prior to spring break.
• Applications will be the focus after spring break.

Course Objectives

• The course shall help non-physical students to succeed in both academic and technical careers in an increasingly information-based society.
• Students shall physically understand how and why
  • tidally-driven,
  • wind-driven,
  • buoyancy-driven, and
  • remotely-driven
  oscillations in sea level and currents impact biological systems.
• Students shall learn how to use computers to
  • aquire physical data form the web,
  • manipulate data using UNIX or DOS based shell-scripting,
  • graphically present data and analysis products using Generic Mapping Tools, and
  • publish data, graphics, and interpretations on the web.
• Students shall apply knowledge, skill, and intuition to critically interpret ambigeous data and questionable scientific claims as found in public perceptions and interdisciplinary reports, manuscripts, and proposals.