CLIM/GEOL 412/CLIM 512 Physical Oceanography

Instructor: Barry Klinger (bklinger@gmu.edu)
Fall 2021: Wed 4:30-7:10

The Glory and Wonder of Physical Oceanography

Catalog Description

Course describes the global patterns of temperature, salinity, currents and waves in the world's oceans, and how these patterns influence marine biota, climate, and human activity. Course introduces key concepts which explain physical features of the ocean ranging from microscopic turbulence to global circulation. 3 credits

2021 Course Syllabus [also available in Blackboard]
2021 Class Schedule [also available in Blackboard]
Department Home Page

Important: Covid and Fall 2020 Class Format

19 Aug [R9u] 2021: Currently Physical Oceanography is scheduled for in-person instruction in Exploratory Hall 1005. Here's hoping the pandemic situation gets better rather than worse!

Further Virus-Related Campus Information

Safe Return to Campus
Mason COVID-19 Info

Lecture Notes and Problem Sets

Will Be Posted in Blackboard

Ocean Circulation in Three Dimensions

I wrote a graduate oceanography textbook with Tom Haine of Johns Hopkins University. The book is based on my class CLIM 752 Ocean General Circulation and is aimed at a more advanced level than CLIM 412/512. However, each chapter is divided into Observational, Conceptual, and Theoretical sections; the first two such sections may be interesting to people in this class. Hardcover and electronic versions of the book can be purchased at Cambridge University Press.

Last modified: 19 Aug 2021