SO335: Quantitative Methods for Meteorology and Oceanography
Fall 2014
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Bradford S. Barrett, bbarrett@usna.edu
OFFICE & PHONE: Chauvenet 216; Office phone (410) 293-6567
Required text
1.
Pond, S., and G. L. Pickard. Introductory Dynamical Oceanography 2 nd ed., Butterworth-
Heinemann, 1983. ISBN: 978-0750624961
Optional texts
1.
Your Calc III and Differential Equations books from 3/C and/or 4/C year
2.
Batchelor, G. K. An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University press,
Cambridge, UK. 2000. ISBN: 0521663962
3.
Acheson, D. J. Elementary Fluid Dynamics, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. 2000.
ISBN: 0198596790
Web page:
All course information, including copies of lecture notes, homework, labs, and lab data, will be hosted at http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/barrett/SO335.htm
Assessment:
Final grades will be based upon the following:
2 Exams (@ 10% each) 20 %
Quizzes 10 %
MATLAB Quiz
Labs 30 %
5 %
Assignments 15 %
Final Exam 20 %
Class participation +/-5%
-------------------------------------------
Total 100%
POLICY STATEMENT
1.
Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to:
 Describe meteorological and oceanographic processes, particularly fluid parcel motion, using complex mathematical notation.
 Describe the fundamental forces that govern large-scale fluid motion.
 Speak with confidence about the Navier-Stokes governing equations.
 Derive two basic governing principles: conservation of mass and momentum.
 Create MATLAB code to complete basic analysis and graphing tasks.
 Apply vector calculus and to oceanography and meteorology.
 Think critically about a meteorological or oceanographic dynamical process.
2.
Expectations
My expectations for you in this course are that you will:
 Respect the learning environment, both in and out of the classroom. Come prepared to each class, skimming the chapter notes (available online) before each lecture. Ask constructive questions during lecture. Ask for EI.
 Work together to help each other learn
 Bring a positive attitude, especially when you find the material frustrating
 Be prepared to be challenged to think critically about the dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean
 Leave the course having learned about the amazing atmosphere and ocean, and picked up useful programming skills in MATLAB
3. Strategies for success in this course
This is a demanding course. It is one of the more advanced courses you will take in
Oceanography. Based on student feedback, here are several strategies for success:
 Recognize that the material is difficult, but not impossible. I.e., don’t give up.
 Review the lecture material twice daily: once before class and again after class. Pay special attention to the math notation. Come to class with specific questions about things you do not understand. All lecture notes are available online.
 Ask questions in class. Ask for Extra Instruction.
 Read the lab activities thoroughly before starting the exercise.

 Save your labs, as later labs use and build on the commands you learn in early labs.
 Work, and re-work, example problems from lecture and course notes.
 Write out derivations, and then studying from the worked problems and derivations.
 Relax, and enjoy the learning process.
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Magic?
Now, for the more formal part:
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1. Classroom decorum:
 I will assign a Section Leader who will become familiar with COMDTMIDNISNT
1080.1 series (Subj: Academic Accountability System). The Section Leader will be responsible for calling the class to attention at the start and reporting absences to the instructor.
 We will follow proper military etiquette and courtesy at all times. I expect the same standards of appearance and conduct that your company officer expects.
 Do not bring food or drink into the Oceanography Department classrooms
(exception – you may bring non-disposable bottles of water, etc for drinking). It is imperative that we keep our spaces clean and neat.
 If you bring a cell phone to class, please make sure it is turned off. The computers in the classroom are meant for instructional purposes only. Please refrain from unauthorized use during class time, including playing games, sending email, or
working on assignments for other classes. Do not add any software to the computers, and do not print material for other classes on the Oceanography
Department printers.
 Collaboration, notes, "crib sheets", and roving eyes constitute cheating when used on any test, quiz, or final exam. I will handle instances of cheating in accordance with policies set by the Academic Dean. The standard-issue calculators will not be used during exams. Calculators purchased by the Oceanography Department will be provided for exams.

2. Extra Instruction (E.I.):
E.I. will routinely be scheduled prior to each major examination. Individual E.I. also is available upon request; please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. I am generally in my office from 0830 to 1730, with the exception of my scheduled class periods, meetings, and lunch hours. This semester, I teach 1 st -6 th periods Tue and Thu. For an appointment, see me or send me an email.
3. Absenteeism:
The attendance policy is established by the Academic Dean. In most cases, missing classes is not in your best interest. If you must miss a class, notify me in advance. Course notes are available online. Talk with another student to see what was specifically covered. Missed handouts, if not on the course web site, may be obtained by contacting me.
4. Materials and Class Preparation:
All material for this course will be available at http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/barrett/SO335.htm
Some course material (e.g., animations) may also be available on the share drive on computers in the classroom at J:\d10class\Barrett\SO335
5. Assignments and Labs
Students are encouraged to work in pairs for assignments (i.e., homework) and lab exercises. However, to maximize each student’s learning, each student must complete the assignment individually. Use your partner as a resource, not a crutch. Lab activities will make heavy use of MATLAB to help visualize examples of fluid motion and solutions of governing equations. It is expected that each student understands all the answers of the turned-in assignment and lab. Although students will be working together in pairs, each student must turn in his or her own homework assignment and lab. Finally, assignments and labs are due per the syllabus schedule.
6. Exams:
Two full period exams are scheduled on the Syllabus. A comprehensive final exam will be given at the conclusion of the course. There also will be a MATLAB “Quiz” given around

week 14 that will cover the fundamental commands learned throughout the semester. This quiz will count for 5% of your overall grade.
If you are unable to attend a major exam or quiz, you must contact me prior to the exam, or bring a written excuse signed by your company officer, to reschedule. A missed exam due to an unexcused absence will be given a grade of zero. Missed exams due to excused absences must be rescheduled within 1 week following the original exam; otherwise, a grade of zero will be assigned.
7. Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given periodically. A missed quiz will be given a grade of zero if not made up within one week (legitimate excuses only).
8. Assessment
Midshipmen must complete all assignments, labs, quizzes, and exams in the course. Final grades will be assigned in accordance with the percentages on the first page of this Policy
Statement. Note that participation counts for +/- 5%, meaning a student can gain (or lose) up to ½ a letter grade through exemplary (or sub-par) class participation.
9. Textbook
The large majority of the SO335 material will come from the course notes (Word docs, found on the course web site).
These notes are thorough and comprehensive, however, they are focused on SO335 and do not have the extension to the real-world that is necessary to fully understand the subjects of meteorology and oceanography.
Thus, the 2 nd edition of Introductory Dynamical Oceano-
graphy is a required text for SO335. You will see that the material extends well beyond the scope of SO335- however, you also note that SO335 is just the first in a four-course, math-based sequence, and it is our hope and expectation that the Pond & Pickard text will be a valuable resource for the next two years. Material it contains will aid you in SO414,
SO416, SM415, and the capstone. Thus, take time this semester to familiarize yourself with the topics in the book, because (while admittedly 30 years old), it is considered a
“classic” among texts. Because of its utility, we strongly recommend that you do not sell or give this book away, but instead keep it through the rest of your
Oceanography major.