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507693-HS2025-0-Specialist Course: Ocean Physics and Biogeochemistry





Root number 507693
Semester HS2025
Type of course Lecture
Allocation to subject Physics
Type of exam Written exam
Title Specialist Course: Ocean Physics and Biogeochemistry
Description The ocean is a fundamental component of the Earth’s climate system, playing a central role in exchanging and transporting heat, nutrients, and carbon. This course provides an introduction to the physical and biogeochemical processes that govern ocean dynamics, with a focus on large-scale circulation. Students will develop a foundational understanding of ocean flow by applying conservation laws and transport equations. Key topics include the formation and transformation of water masses, Ekman dynamics, Sverdrup balance, the meridional overturning circulation, and tracer transport. The course then covers the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle, including carbonate chemistry, the biological carbon pump, and the variability of these processes over time, in the past, present, and future. In addition, emerging topics in marine science, such as marine carbon dioxide removal and tipping points, will be introduced. This course is intended for students with a background in physics or climate science and provides essential knowledge for studying the ocean’s role within the Earth system.

Final Exam: Tuesday January 13, 10:00 – 12:00, Written; Oral exam possible if the number of students is low
ILIAS-Link (Learning resource for course) Registrations are transmitted from CTS to ILIAS (no admission in ILIAS possible). ILIAS
Link to another web site
Lecturers Prof. Dr. Thomas Frölicher, Physics Institute, Climate and Environmental Physics ✉
Prof. Dr. Charlotte Laufkötter, Physics Institute, Climate and Environmental Physics ✉
Prof. Dr. Frerk Pöppelmeier, Klima- und Umweltphysik (KUP) - Earth System Modelling: Climate Dynamics ✉
ECTS 4
Recognition as optional course possible No
Grading 1 to 6
 
Dates Tuesday 10:00-14:00 Weekly
Tuesday 13/1/2026 10:00-12:00
 
Rooms Hörraum A097, Exakte Wissenschaften, ExWi
 
Students please consult the detailed view for complete information on dates, rooms and planned podcasts.