Brown University

Explores theories of the large-scale ocean and atmosphere, including quasigeostrophic, planetary geostrophic, and shallow water equations. Topics will vary to focus on features of the general circulation and climate system (e.g. thermocline, westward intensification, jet stream dynamics, polar vortex, meridional overturning circulations), instabilities and waves (e.g. gravity, Rossby, and Kelvin), or rotating stratified turbulence. May be repeated with permission of instructor. Pre-requisites: PHYS0720 or APMA 0340 or ENGN 2020 and EEPS1400 or EEPS1510 or EEPS1520.

The Spring 2026 version will focus on Rotating, Stratified Turbulence and Parameterizations. You can access the syllabus, class calendar, notes, and reading

Web Resources and Texts

1. Peer reviewing guidelines
2. Reading assignment guidelines
3. Math Resource Center
4. Tutoring
5. Science Center Advising

Main Texts

1. Vallis, Essentials of Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics
2. Wyngaard, Turbulence in the Atmosphere
3. Thorpe, An Introduction to Ocean Turbulence

Assignments

1. Assignment 1 due 2/7 (reviews due 2/13).
2. Assignment 1 Key (reviews due 2/13).
3. Assignment 2 due 2/24 (reviews due 2/27).
4. Assignment 2 Key (reviews due 2/27).
5. Assignment 3 due 3/6 (reviews due 3/12).
6. Assignment 3 Key (reviews due 3/12).
7. Assignment 4 and paper proposal due 4/3 (reviews due 4/9).
8. Assignment 4 Key (reviews due 4/9).
9. Assignment 5 due 4/27 (reviews due 4/30).
10. Assignment 5 Key (reviews due 4/30).
11. Final Paper Assignment (Due 5/14, 5PM).

Secondary Textbooks (available online):

1. Cushman-Roisin and Beckers, Introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics: Physical and Numerical Aspects
2. Marshall and Plumb, Atmosphere, ocean, and climate dynamics: an introductory text
3. Vallis, Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics : Fundamentals and Large-Scale Circulation
4. Fowler, Mathematical Geosciences
5. Robert H. Stewart's Introduction to Physical Oceanography
6. Strogatz, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos : With Applications to Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering
7. Arfken, Weber, and Harris, Mathematical Methods for Physicists, Seventh Edition: A Comprehensive Guide
8. Bender & Orszag, Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers
9. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (AR5, WGI), 2013: Physical Science Summary, and Summary for Policymakers

Websites

1. Wolfram Alpha
2. Mathematics of Planet Earth
3. Cleon Teunissen's Rotation Physics

Additional Fun Reading

Nonfiction

1. Lamb, 1917: Lamb, On Waves in an Elastic Plate
2. Love, 1897: Theoretical Mechanics: An Introductory Treatise on the Principles of Dynamics with Applications and Numerous Examples
3. Taylor, 1920: Tidal Friction in the Irish Sea
4. Hofstadter, Goedel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid
5. Paulos, Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences
6. Bowditch, 1880: The American Practical Navigator
7. Maury, 1860: The Physical Geography of the Sea and Its Meteorology

Fiction

1. Square, Flatland
2. Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas
3. Dana, Two Years Before the Mast
4. Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
5. Homer, The Odyssey
6. London, The Sea Wolf
7. Stevenson, Treasure Island

Brown Specific Guidelines

1. Accessisbility Services
2. Academic & Student Conduct Codes, *Note* Prof. Fox-Kemper regards inappropriate cellphone and laptop use as disruptive behavior.