PHY 478 - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

The fundamental principles governing the flow of a density-stratified fluid on a rotating planet, with applications to the motions of the ocean and atmosphere. Equations of state, compressibility, Boussinesq approximation. Geostrophic balance, Rossby number. Poincare, Kelvin, Rossby waves, and geostrophic adjustment. Credit is not allowed for both PHY 478 and PHY 578.

Credit Hours: 3

Corequisite Courses: PHY 475
Prerequisite Courses: PHY 350
Crosslisting: PHY 578
Course Repeatability: Course may not be repeated.