Overview

Physical oceanography:

Topics relating to the tides will be the speed of shallow water waves, the effect of wave reflection and the Earth's rotation, amphidromic systems, tidal friction, and an explanation of the tides around the UK.

Topics related to surface waves will be wave generation by wind/storms, the propagation of wave energy in deep and shallow water, wave transformation and refraction in coastal waters, wave diffraction, wave breaking and the classification of breaking waves, breakpoint bars on beaches.

Topics related to marine renewable energy will include and introduction to how renewable energy is generated offshore from winds, tides and waves, how marine energy resource is evaluated and a discussion of devices used in the generation of marine energy, and their deployment.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (D minus) Basic ability to master some simple laboratory techniques associated with the chemical analysis of sea water. Basic understanding of knowledge (subject-specific theories, concepts and principles) of the processes of tidal and wave dynamics based on the taught programme. Basic ability to solve numerical problems using appropriate techniques and to interpret the results. A basic appreciation of how marine energy resource is evaluated from waves and tidal currents, common devices used in the generation of energy and their deployment.

Good - (B grade) Good understanding of knowledge (subject-specific theories, concepts and principles) of the processes of tidal and wave dynamics based on the taught programme. Good ability to solve numerical problems using appropriate techniques, and to interpret results Good understanding of how marine energy resource is evaluated from waves and tidal currents, common devices used in the generation of energy and their deployment, and an appreciation to apply these ideas to new locations and marine conditions.

Excellent - (A grade) Thorough understanding of knowledge (subject-specific theories, concepts and principles) of the processes of tidal and wave dynamics based on the taught programme. Thorough ability to define and solve numerical problems using appropriate techniques, and to interpret the results. Good understanding of how marine energy resource is evaluated from waves and tidal currents, common devices used in the generation of energy and their deployment and skilled application of these ideas to new locations and marine conditions.

Learning Outcomes

• An understanding of the surface wave generation by wind events, of the principles that govern wave energy propagation, and of the transformation/dissipation of waves in the coastal zone

• An understanding of the way that the real tide works in the oceans and shelf seas, including the effects of reflection off the coast, earth rotation and friction

• Introduction to how waves and tides may be used to generate marine renewable energy.

• Skill in using the MATLAB computer programming language to analyse oceanographic data