Unit name | Geophysical Fluid Dynamics |
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Unit code | EASCM0025 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Mader |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of the first three years of a science programme. Please note that the material on this course ranges from descriptive to theoretical. To cope with the theory you need to be at ease with algebraic manipulations of equations and with basic calculus (i.e. Can you differentiate a polynomial and do you understand the meaning of the function you thereby obtain?). Anything that goes beyond this level will be introduced carefully during the course before being applied to fluid flow. |
Co-requisites |
n/a |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit is aimed at developing a quantitative description and understanding of natural flows. This will involve a consideration of the flow of natural, multiphase materials in viscous, inviscid and turbulent flow. The fluid mechanical principles of heat and mass transfer in fluid flows will be applied to understanding geophysical phenomena. The impact of the Earth's rotation on large-scale fluid motions will also be discussed. Specific geophysical flows of interest will be: the flow of ice and magma; plate motions and the viscosity of the mantle; convective flows; flows in the Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
On successful completion you will be able to:
Lectures and Practicals
Continuous assessment will cover 40% of total marks and will be based on reports of two laboratory practicals and the seminar. Solutions to examples are not assessed. However, worked solutions will be provided at the end of the course.
A 2 hour final closed exam in the January exam period will cover all aspects of the course (60% of marks).
Assessment will be completed in accordance with the University Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes, available online at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/codeonline.html
Essential reading for all main topics is provided on Blackboard.
Further reading: