WHOI-MIT Joint Program graduate courses
12.701 (used to be 12.758) Classical Papers in Physical Oceanography
The objective of this course is to create a forum for the reading, discussion and understanding of some of the fundamental papers in physical oceanography. In the 2015 spring semester, the course will cover three main themes: large-scale ocean circulation, ocean mixing and energetics, and ocean’s role in climate. Within each topic, the selection of papers will highlight key advances or new ideas with a balance of theoretical and observational papers. Often a couple of papers will be paired to highlight the mutual influence between the observational and theoretical approaches or to contrast the competing ideas.
Spring 2015
https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/12/sp15/12.758/
Spring 2017 (co-teaching with Irina Rypina)
https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/12/sp17/12.701/
Spring 2018 (co-teaching with Irina Rypina)
https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/12/sp18/12.701/
Spring 2021 (co-teaching with Irina Rypina)
12.801 Large-scale Ocean Dynamics
Applies fundamental principles of geophysical fluid dynamics to understand the general patterns of the ocean circulation and stratification. Includes the mid-latitude wind-driven circulation, the Southern Ocean circulation, and the global overturning circulation. Uses a combination of theory, numerical simulations, and observations to illustrate the concepts.
Spring 2017 (co-teaching with Jiayan Yang)
https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/12/sp17/12.801/
Spring 2018 (co-teaching with Jiayan Yang)
12.757 Climate Change Science: Facts, Questions, Controversies and Communication
Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges facing today’s earth scientists (including oceanographers) and one that we believe all earth scientists should be familiar with. This course is designed to provide you with a basic knowledge of the ‘big questions’ behind today’s climate change science and with the tools to discourse about climate change with diverse groups. This year the course will focus on the newly released IPCC Report for the Physical Science Basis - covering most of the major themes.
Spring 2014 (co-teaching with Fiamma Straneo and Sarah Das)
12.808 Introduction to Observational Physical Oceanography
This course is an introduction to the results and the methods of observational physical oceanography, a very rapidly developing field. Rapid development is a response to the pressing societal need to understand how the physical state of the oceans might be changing as part of a changing Earth climate --- Are the oceans warming? Is the ocean circulation slowing? Rapid development on these and other questions is made possible by new technology, e.g., satellite measurement systems and autonomous floats and gliders that enable more efficient and more comprehensive observation of the ocean.
Fall 2010 (co-teaching with Fiamma Straneo)
https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/12/fa10/12.808/index.html
Fall 2011 (co-teaching with Steve Jayne)
https://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/12/fa11/12.808/index.html
Fall 2012 (co-teaching with Anthony Kirincich)