Syllabus

This page presents information about the course, including a calendar.

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Labs: 1 session / week, 3 hours / session

Course Goals

This course provides the ocean scientist and engineer with an:

  1. Understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of making measurements in the ocean,
  2. An introduction to basic oceanographic instrumentation being used today,
  3. The requirements, methodology and sampling strategies related to designing scientific and environmental monitoring programs,
  4. An appreciation of issues relating to the analysis and presentation of results.

Lectures

Oceanography is an observational field that requires quality observations to support scientific investigations. Therefore, it is imperative that the oceanographic student think in terms of the observational requirements (rather than just sensors) when designing an experiment. This including consideration of the sensors (type, calibration, response, and techniques for the user of), sampling theory (sample interval, duration, statistical confidence), data systems (microprocessors, data compression, conditional sampling, and data storage), data analysis and presentation of the results (that meet the scientific, management, observational goals). This class is an introduction to sensors and measurements and their use in the ocean. Various “state-of-the-art” measurement systems will be described and discussed during the semester. Classroom lectures will be supplemented with readings, speakers, and the student will be assigned problem sets.

Laboratory

During the semester, students will work in the laboratory understanding circuits and instrument systems then prepare and deploy them in the ocean. The class will study several instrument systems in detail during the semester. Other exercises will help the student understand filters, op-amps, analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, and the use of laboratory test equipment. Then the students will design a simple deployment, prepare the instrumentation and supporting hardware/software and deploy the instruments from the R/V TIOGO or ASTERIAS for one week. The student will be required to work up the cruise for a final class report and make an oral presentation of the findings.

Course work will include assigned problems sets involving data manipulation and presentation of results using MATLAB®. Presentation of a final report on the laboratory projects will be given to the class (and others) at the end of the semester in place of a final exam. Grades will be assigned based on the student’s performance on the assigned homework, participation in class discussions, and on the laboratory project.

Readings

This subject is not covered sufficiently by any textbook. Students are provided with course notes written by the instructors, and supplemental readings from the literature.

Other Coursework

Course work will include assigned problems sets involving data manipulation and presentation of results using MATLAB®.

Presentation of a final report on the laboratory projects will be given to the class (and others) at the end of the semester in place of a final exam.

Grading

Grades will be assigned based on the student’s performance on the assigned homework, participation in class discussions, and on the laboratory project.

Calendar

AJW = Dr. Albert J. Williams, 3rd
JDI = Dr. James D. Irish

The calendar below provides information on the course’s lecture (L) and laboratory (Lab) sessions.

SES # TOPICS INSTRUCTORS
L1 Introduction to Class, Requirements and Get Student Interests/Focus AJW, JDI
L2 Transducers, Instrument Systems and Limits to Measurements AJW, JDI
Lab 1 Background Lab: Electronics

L3 Introduction to Sampling Theory, Statistics, Fourier Transforms, Filters and Filtering JDI
L4 Filters and Filtering (cont.), Sampling Theorem, Aliasing, Nyquist Frequency JDI
Lab 2 Background Lab: Circuit Construction, Soldering, Scopes, DVM

L5 Power Spectra, Coherence, Confidence Limits JDI
Lab 3 Background Lab: MAVS Circuit Analysis, Discussion, Testing

L6 Digitizing, Ideal A/C, Frequency Counting, Least Count Error JDI
L7 Calibrations, Static, Dynamic and Sensor Response JDI
Lab 4 Background Lab: Materials for Use in Ocean

L8 Sensor Noise, Signal to Noise and Frequency Response Effects JDI
L9 Sea Water Properties, Distributions, Equation of State of Sea Water JDI
Lab 5 Background Lab: Compass, Tilt, Motion, Acoustic Releases, Pingers, Acoustic Locators

L10 Pressure - Temperature Sensors/Measurements and Standards JDI
L11 Conductivity/Salinity Sensors/Measurements and Standards JDI
Lab 6 Background Lab: Calibrations Part 1

L12 CTDs - Profiling, Towed, Self-contained JDI
L13 Buoys, Moorings, Compliance JDI
Lab 7 Background Lab: Calibrations Part 2

L14 Ropes, Fibers, Cables, Compliant Elements Guest Lecturer: Walter Paul
L15 Data Systems, Recorders, A/D’s, Microprocessors and Telemetry Guest Lecturer: Al Bradley
Lab 8 Cruise Lab: Divide Class into Groups, Start Work on Instruments

L16 Eulerian Current Meters - VACM, VMCM, ACM, BASS AJW
L17 Lagrangian Currents - Draper LCD, TriStar, Swallow Float, SOFAR, RAFOS AJW
Lab 9 Cruise Lab: Instruments (cont.)

L18 Acoustic Current Meters - ADV, ADCP, LDV AJW
L19 Acoustic Backscattering and Sediment Transport - ABS, SSS Guest Lecturer: Peter Traykovski
Lab 10 Cruise Lab: Final Instrument Prep/Checkout

Lab 11 Cruise Lab: Deployment and survey During Whole Day

L20 Meteorology (Winds, Pressure, Temperature, Relative Humidity, Radiation) Guest Lecturer: Jim Edson
L21 Platforms - Drifters, Ships, Bottom-Mounted, AUV, ROV Guest Lecturer: Hanu Singh
Lab 12 Cruise Lab: Recover Instruments Guest Lecturer: Hanu Singh
L22 Imaging

L23 Bio-optical - Fluorometers, Transmissometers, OBS, Radiometers, PAR Guest Lecturer: Peter Traykovski
Lab 13 Cruise Lab: Analysis and Discussion

L24 Remote Sensing - Satellite, Radar, VHF Radar, LDV, ADCP, and ADV

L25 Other Topics of Student Interest

Lab 14 Oral Presentations and written Reports of Cruise Results

Course Info

As Taught In
Spring 2004
Level