Oceanographic Methods unit (KSA324)

Introduction

The goal of the unit is to introduce students to research at sea and provide hands-on exposure to standard methods for the collection and analysis of data in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography and marine mapping. Students will have the opportunity to attend two field trips on the Derwent river. Details of field arrangements will vary each year depending on resource availability. Academic staff will provide practical training following a short lecture in a weekly 3:45 hour tutorial. Each student is required to attend two field trips. The first will cover physical, chemical and biological oceanography. These include the measurement of temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, particulate matter, and their bio-optical equivalents; nutrients; dissolved oxygen; light. The second field trip will cover seafloor acoustics. Students will learn best practices for data management and access. On completion of this unit, students will have an appreciation of the fundamental oceanographic methods and practices including simple analysis and interpretation.

Summary

Unit name	Oceanographic Methods
Unit code	KSA324
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies
Discipline	Oceans Ice and Climate
Coordinator	Doctor Pier van der Merwe
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the concepts and principles used in observational oceanography to a diverse audience.
• Use standard oceanographic methods and instrumentation to collect high quality data.
• Understand where to resource oceanographic data from Global and National Data portals and apply standard methods to analyse these data.
• Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of specific areas of observational oceanography to solve problems.
• Analyse, interpret, and report observational results from field programs and laboratory work.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KSA205

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Weekly, 3:45 - hour max tutorials starting with an overview by the teaching staff. Two field trips will also occur during the semester and in those weeks, there will be no additional tutorial.  The first will focus on physical and chemical oceanography and the second will focus on acoustic seafloor mapping.
Assessment	Quiz 1 (15%)|Quiz 2 (15%)|Submission of data to IMAS data portal (20%)|Lab report: benthic habitat mapping (25%)|Scientific poster: water sampling (25%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Please see MyLO
Recommended	Please see MyLO

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.