| Course: | SO221 |
| Title: | Introduction To Oceanography |
| Credits: | 3—0—3 |
| Description: | A descriptive course designed to provide an overview of significant oceanographic factors and their impact on engineering applications. Prereq: Non-SOC majors only. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: Non-SOC/SOCH majors only. Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq |
| Course: | SO225 |
| Title: | Meteorology & Oceanography W/ Fleet Appl |
| Credits: | 3—0—3 |
| Description: | An introductory level course, navigable and apprpriate for students in any major of study that examines basic meteorology and oceanography and the effects of the environment on Naval Operations. Topics will include oceanographic and meteorological instruments used for measuring and monitoring current conditions, physical processes governing meteorological and oceanography fundamentals, basic forecasting principles, modeling fundamentals, and environmental information resources. The course will focus on the aforementioned topics and use the knowledge gained to better understand the environment's influence on Naval Operations as well as how to interpret, translate, and brief the impact to decision makers and operators alike. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: |
| Course: | SO242 |
| Title: | Tornadoes And Severe Storms |
| Credits: | 3—0—3 |
| Description: | A survey of large-scale mid-latitude meteorology with an emphasis on the processes that promote the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Methods for diagnosing thermodynamic instability and vertical wind shear are presented and applied to Anticipate storm morphology. Emphasis is placed on the study of supercell thunderstorms and mesocyclonic tornadogenesis. Additional topics include Doppler radar fundamentals, precipitation/hail growth, cloud electrification, and products to diagnose and predict storm evolution. Comfort applying vector calculus and physics concepts is recommended. Enrolled students may be eligible for an internship opportunity to study and observe severe convective storms on the U.S. Great Plains during May. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SM221 and SP211 (or equivalents). Prereq: SM221 AND SP211 Coreq: Prereq: |
| Course: | SO251 |
| Title: | Descriptive Physical Oceanography |
| Credits: | 3—2—4 |
| Description: | This course serves as an introduction to Physical Oceanography. Topics include: Introduction to Geology, Plate Tectonics, Ocean Basins, Sediments and Stratigraphy, Geodesy and Ocean Bathymetry, Properties of Seawater, Ocean Structure, Ocean Heat Balance, Conservation Equations, Equations of Motion, Geostrophic Balance and Flows, Major Ocean Currents, Density Driven Flows, Waves and Tides, Coastal Ocean, and Ocean Optics and Acoustics. This 4-credit course has a laboratory component that provides a general introduction to field methods for collecting data related to Physical Oceanography and data analysis using statistical and graphical software programs. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: |
| Course: | SO254 |
| Title: | Introduction To Meteorology |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | This course serves as an introduction to Meteorology. Topics include: Meteorological state variables, the equation of state for air, radiative balance, climate change and climate variability, atmospheric water vapor, cloud formation processes, and cloud microphysics, forces involved in atmospheric motion, geostrophic flow, atmospheric stability, surface and upper analyses and thermodynamic charts. This three credit course includes a laboratory component that involves the analysis and visualization of meteorological datasets with Matlab. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO251 (can take concurrently). Prereq: SO251 Coreq: Prereq: SO251 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO262 |
| Title: | Physical Geography |
| Credits: | 3—0—3 |
| Description: | The physical environment influences natural resources, human culture, national security, and military operations. This course examines the basic scientific principles of physical geography and how location on earth influences climate, landforms, soils, and natural vegetation. We will study the processes at work, the features created and their spatial distributions. We will use satellite imagery and geographical information systems to look at case studies around the world and examine the wide range of natural environments. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: None. Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: |
| Course: | SO264 |
| Title: | Intro To Instrumentation & Data Analysis |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | This course introduces students to the theory and standard practices behind the collection, processing, organization, analysis, and interpretation of environmental datasets. Students will learn the practical principles of instrumentation and equipment used in teh collection of meteorological and oceanographic data. They will review, develop, and employ standard field and laboratory methodologies for the collection of quality-controlled environmental data. They will investigate current technologies and approaches used in data acquisition and processing. Lastly, they will learn and apply statistical and data science methodologies and approaches to analyze and interpret complex, real-world atmospheric and oceanographic datasets. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: Coreq: SO251 Prereq: Coreq: SO251 Prereq: Coreq: SO251 |
| Course: | SO335 |
| Title: | Oceanographic & Meteorological Quantitative Method |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | Oceanographic and Meteorological Quantitative Methods. A course to expose students to products and datasets that are available in oceanography and meteorology and techniques for manipulating the data to arrive at a better quantitative understanding of the oceans and atmosphere. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SM212, SO251, SO254 (Can take concurrently). Prereq: SM212 AND SO251 AND |
| Course: | SO345 |
| Title: | Atmospheric Thermodynamics |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | This course studies the thermodynamic properties if the atmosphere, including the temperature moisture processes, as well as the forces responsible for vertical atmospheric motion. This course uses thermodynamic diagrams for analyzing vertical profiles of atmospheric variables. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SP212, SM212 (Can take concurrently). Prereq: SP212 AND SM212 Coreq: Pre |
| Course: | SO345H |
| Title: | Honors Atmospheric Thermodynamics |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | Course is an advanced version of SO345 for honor students. This course studies the thermodynamic properties if the atmosphere, including the temperature moisture processes, as well as the forces responsible for vertical atmospheric motion. This course uses thermodynamic diagrams for analyzing vertical profiles of atmospheric variables. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SP212, SM212 (Can take concurrently), and SOCH majors only. Prereq: SP21 |
| Course: | SO351 |
| Title: | Biogeochemical Oceanography |
| Credits: | 3—2—4 |
| Description: | An introduction to geological, chemical, and biological processes in the oceans. This course builds upon the fundamentals of physical oceanography provided in SO251 by adding the close interactions among geological, chemical and biological processes to the physical setting of the water column. Topics range from hydrothermal circulation, sediment diagenesis, nutrient cycling, ocean alkalinity, biological production, food webs, taxonomy, and ecology. Real-world applications are emphasized. This 4-credit course has a laboratory component that reinforces field data collection and analysis techniques presented in SO251 and SO264. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO251, SO264. Prereq: SO251 AND SO264 Coreq: Prereq: SO251 AND SO264 Cor |
| Course: | SO411 |
| Title: | Ocean Acoustics |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | A fundamental study of sound propagation in the ocean environment. This course will use concepts from "classical" physics and oceanography, along with a few tools from calculus, to expose students to the fundamentals of wave propagation and interference effects, passive and active sonar range equations, detection theory, noise spectra, Fourier analysis, directivity of receiving arrays, propagation loss, reflection and transmission at an interface, refraction of rays due to changes in sound speed, sound channels and convergence zones, and backscattering. The course will have a U.S. Navy focus on underwater acoustics and underwater noise and applications of underwater acoustics in the field of oceanography. Credit shall not be given for both SO411 and SP411. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: 2C SOC/H major. Coreq: SO416/516, or permission of Dept Chair Prereq: C |
| Course: | SO414 |
| Title: | Oceanic And Atmospheric Processes |
| Credits: | 3—2—4 |
| Description: | Fundamental equations of motion governing the dynamics of quasi-horizontal, inviscid and viscous fluid flow on the rotating earth are developed. Scale analyses of the basic hydrodynamic equations are used to identify forces responsible for motions of interest. Basic numerical modeling techniques for both oceanic and atmospheric processes are introduced. Laboratory exercises will utilize the MATLAB software package to solve hands-on problems pertaining to fluid flow. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO335 and SO345. Prereq: SO335 AND SO345 Coreq: Prereq: SO335 AND SO345 |
| Course: | SO416 |
| Title: | Waves And Tides |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | Equations governing the dynamics of surface and internal waves, including tsunamis, seiches, internal tides, and tidal bores, are derived and practically applied. Wave theory is compared to wave tank observations. Wave statistics and energy spectra are used to forecast sea and swell. Tide generating and tractive forces are mathematically analyzed, and methods of tidal prediction are reviewed and exercised. [fall]. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO414. Prereq: SO414 Coreq: Prereq: SO414 Coreq: Prereq: SO414 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO422 |
| Title: | Nearshore Oceanography |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | Examines the oceanographic regime from the continental shelf break to the intertidal zone and coastal dunes. Concentrates on shallow water wave, surf and beach processes. Includes a discussion of coastal management and engineering procedures. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO351. Prereq: SO351 Coreq: Prereq: SO351 Coreq: Prereq: SO351 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO426 |
| Title: | Polar Oceanography |
| Credits: | 3—0—3 |
| Description: | This course examines the air-ice-ocean interaction of the high latitude oceans. Topics include: Introduction to Arctic and Antarctic geography, hydrography, climatology, heat balance terms, ice-albedo feedback, sea ice structure, air-ocean circulations, freshwater storage, surface gravity wave dynmaics in marginal ice zones, upper ocean buoyancy and stratification, under-ice fluxes of momentum and heat, and data analysis of field measurements using statistical and graphical software programs. Course also highlights past and current U. S. Navy research initiatives in the cryospheric science domain. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SOC OR SOCH Coreq: Prereq: SOC OR SOCH Coreq: Prereq: SOC OR SOCH Coreq: |
| Course: | SO427 |
| Title: | Introduction To Estuarine Oceanography |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | The physical, geological and biological aspects of the estuarine environment are studied. Laboratory sessions, which include YP cruises and field trips, focus on practical and hands-on applications. Environmental issues such as water quality and pollution are discussed. The use of numerical models as a tool is explored. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO351. Prereq: SO351 Coreq: Prereq: SO351 Coreq: Prereq: SO351 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO431 |
| Title: | Environmental Remote Sensing |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | An overview is given of the various platforms and sensors currently in use and planned. The electromagnetic spectrum and radiation laws are explained. Applications exercises give "hands-on" experience with image processing systems. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: none. Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: |
| Course: | SO432 |
| Title: | Geographical Information Systems |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | Geographical Information Systems (GIS) use computers to manipulate geographic data, combining maps and data bases. This course examines the basics of map projection and datums, raster and vector data bases, and the design, manipulation, and analysis of geographic data. We will discuss the use of remote sensing to collect data and provide background maps, and the use of digital elevation models to provide a framework for 3D display. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: None. Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: Prereq: Coreq: |
| Course: | SO441 |
| Title: | Synoptic Meteorology |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | A practical course in meteorological analysis and forecasting as applied to operational planning. A variety of meteorological datastreams available in the computerized Meteorology Laboratory are used to analyze and predict the current and future state of the atmosphere. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO335 (can take concurrently). Prereq: SO335 Coreq: Prereq: SO335 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO442 |
| Title: | Tropical Meteorology |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | A study of the special processes affecting meteorological analysis and forecasting in the tropics, including satellite imagery analysis, with particular emphasis on hurricane or typhoon prediction, creation, movement and decay. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO335 (can take concurrently). Prereq: SO335 Coreq: Prereq: SO335 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO445 |
| Title: | Climatology |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | This course will review the science of earth's climate system, including factors that influence global climate variability on different spatial and temporal scales. Climate variability on both geologic and more recent timescales will be explored using observed climate data records. Data including satellite data, land/sea observations, ice cores, and paleoclimate records will be utilized to explore topics such as the Ozone Hole, Earth's energy balance, feedback cycles, and ocean/atmospheric teleconnection modes of variability. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO351 AND (SO345 OR SO34 Coreq: Prereq: SO351 AND (SO345 OR SO34 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO451 |
| Title: | Biological Oceanography |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | A study of patterns and concepts of biological production in the ocean. Emphasis is on the integration of the biological and physical environment. Laboratory includes student planned studies and conceptual exercises. All aspects of the course emphasize the use of various knowledge areas to solve a problem. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO351 (can take concurrently). Prereq: SO351 Coreq: Prereq: SO351 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO461 |
| Title: | Geological Oceanography |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | Introduces marine geological/geophysical instrumentation, theory, data collection, analysis, interpretation and applications. Geomorphology, structure, petrology, sedimentation, stratigraphy, origin and development of ocean basins and margins are examined in light of theory of plate tectonics. Practical studies of the Chesapeake Bay are part of the laboratory work. [fall, spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO251. Prereq: SO251 Coreq: Prereq: SO251 Coreq: Prereq: SO251 Coreq: |
| Course: | SO470 |
| Title: | Capstone Seminar |
| Credits: | 2—2—3 |
| Description: | This course is an instructor-facilitated, Midshipman-led seminar course that leads USNA Midshipman 1/C Oceanography majors through the execution of project-based Capstone research that demonstrates undergraduate-level mastery in the field(s) of Oceanography and/or Meteorology. Midshipman will be challenged to work in teams to plan and conduct research on assigned project topics. They will be expected to use the knowledge, concepts, and analytical skills they gained during their time as an Oceanography major to collect, compile, organize, analyze, and interpret real-world data and summarize, discuss, and draw appropriate conclusions from their results. The course includes background readings and discussions on topics related to Oceanography and Meteorology. The course also includes instruction on scientific writing and presentation. The course culminates in the production of a project-based Capstone Poster that each team will defend at the USNA Yard-wide Capstone Day poster session or a similar formal setting. Each team will also produce a well-written, well-formatted, technical Capstone paper that fully summarizes their work and demonstrates the level of critical thinking and scientific understanding expected of an undergraduate Oceanography major. Successful completion of this Capstone course is required for graduation as an Oceanography Major. |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SOC OR SOCH Coreq: Prereq: SOC OR SOCH Coreq: Prereq: SOC OR SOCH Coreq: |
| Course: | SO475 |
| Title: | Readings In Oceanography And Meteorology |
| Credits: | 0—6—3 |
| Description: | An independent study course in conjunction with a faculty member to prepare midshipmen to conduct independent research. In this course, the midshipmen will meet with their adviser to discuss topics in scientific literature related to their research project. They will also write a summary report of the scientific literature they have reviewed, which will be integrated in their final research project report in the following semester. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: 2/C or 1/C standing and approval of department chair. Prereq: Coreq: Pr |
| Course: | SO476 |
| Title: | Readings In Oceanography And Meteorology |
| Credits: | 0—6—3 |
| Description: | An independent study course in conjunction with a faculty member to prepare midshipmen to conduct independent research. In this course, the midshipmen will meet with their adviser to discuss topics in scientific literature related to their research project. They will also write a summary report of the scientific literature they have reviewed, which will be integrated in their final research project report in the following semester. [spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: 2/C or 1/C standing and approval of department chair. Prereq: Coreq: Pr |
| Course: | SO505 |
| Title: | Honors Independent Research |
| Credits: | 0—6—3 |
| Description: | Independent research in oceanography or meteorology on a subject of the student's choice, culminating in a written report and presentation to the faculty. [fall] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO503 and SOCH major. Prereq: SO503 Coreq: Prereq: SO503 Coreq: Prereq: |
| Course: | SO506 |
| Title: | Honors Independent Research |
| Credits: | 0—6—3 |
| Description: | Independent research in oceanography or meteorology on a subject of the student's choice, culminating in a written report and presentation to the faculty. [spring] |
| Requisites: | Prereq: SO503 and SOCH major. Prereq: SO503 Coreq: Prereq: SO503 Coreq: Prereq: |