Oceanographic Methods unit (KSA324)

Hobart

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

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

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

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
050999	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$3,382.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

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.