The course includes lectures and exercises with a mathematical-physical orientation. The course is mathematical in nature and requires prior knowledge in solving physical mathematical questions.
Physical oceanography deals with the description of water (temperature, salinity, etc.) and its dynamics - currents, waves and tides. Understanding the physics of the oceans is essential for understanding the role of oceans in the climate system, predicting currents and waves, and more. The course includes topics in physical oceanography, a research cruise to demonstrate data collection and laboratory experiments in a rotating water tank.
Main topics included in the course:
1. Development of flow equations
2. Gravity waves
3. Geostrophic adjustment
4. Ekman layer
5. Waves: Kelvin waves, Rossby waves, Poincare waves
6. Internal waves, stratification effects
7. The thermohaline circulation
8. El Niño
Text books:
1. Gill A. (1982) Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics, Volume 30 (International Geophysics).
2. Cushman-Roisin B. (1994) Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics.
3. Salmon R. (1998) Lectures on Geophysical Fluid Dynamics.
4. Pedlosky J. (1990) Geophysical fluid dynamic.
5. Vallis G. (2006) Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics: Fundamentals and Large-scale Circulation.
6. Marshall J. & R. Alan Plumb (2007) Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics, Volume 93: An Introductory Text (International Geophysics).
Prerequisite
Differential and integral calculus, linear algebra, basic knowledge in ordinary and partial differential equations, courses in basic physics. Basic knowledge of using matlab or phyton.
The grade structure
The final grade on the course will be determined on the basis of exercises that will be given daily during the course (30%) and based on an exam (70%) that will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Givat Ram, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at Sde Boker Campus, Ben Gurion University. As in all other courses offered at the InterUniversity Institute, only one test will be given.
Audience
The course is for 3rd year undergraduate students in physics, geophysics, mathematics and engineering. Graduate students will be accepted on the basis of available places.
Language
The language of instruction is Hebrew, however, if students who do not speak Hebrew will take part in the course, the language of instruction will be English. If the language of instruction will be English, Hebrew speakers will be given the opportunity to take the exam and submit the exercises in Hebrew.