MACS 421 - Waves and Tides

Using a new data set and cutting edge oceanographic instrumentation, students will apply the basic physics of waves and tides to investigate sea level properties on the Washington coast and across the Pacific Ocean. Topics will include: wave generation, transformation, and breaking; tidal forcing and currents; coastal inundation and sea level rise. Assignments and in-class activities for this class will make use of the Backyard Buoys’ project array of community stewarded wave buoys to investigate these topics. This course will include two field trips to deploy and recover a wave buoy near the Shannon Point Marine Center; students will work with the buoy data during the course.

Prerequisites & Notes: PHYS 161; MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138; ESCI 340 or BIOL 340 or MACS 401 or concurrent.
Credits: 4
Grade Mode: Letter