Marine & Atmospheric System Modeling & Analysis
Powerful tools to promote understanding and solutions
Mathematical models, particularly those employing multi-dimensional numerical simulations, are powerful tools for analysis of marine systems.
As a student pursuing this concentration, you would develop a fundamental capability for developing and applying interdisciplinary models to promote understanding of marine systems and contribute to potential solutions to environmental challenges. You would also learn about the use of data assimilation techniques to assess and improve model performance.
Global scale models are used to understand past, present and future global changes in the ocean-atmosphere system. Development of predictive capability is critical for optimizing environmental remediation and restoration, coastal and watershed development, and fisheries management.
Related areas of study
- Familiarity with fundamental concepts in physics, biology, chemistry, and math as well as knowledge of ocean and atmospheric science
- Experience with data analysis and computer programming
Learning outcomes
- Development and utilization of mathematical models to understand and simulate various physical processes such as fluid motions and, energy, heat, and salinity budgets
- Interactions between the atmospheric and ocean
- Development and utilization of mathematical models focusing on key biological (e.g., primary and secondary production, biomass distribution) and chemical (e.g., hydrological cycling, air/sea gas exchange, nutrient and contaminant distributions) processes and parameters
- Assimilation of data acquired from satellites and other types of remote sensing as well as measurements made from ships, buoys, and other platforms