ESE 104. Current Problems in Environmental Science and Engineering. 1 unit; second term, 2025-26. Discussion of current research by ESE graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Instructor: Callies

ESE 130. Fundamentals of Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2025-26. Prerequisites: ESE 101 and ESE 102 recommended and Ma 2 or equivalent (instructor's permission). This course is an introduction to the fluid dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, with an emphasis on dynamical concepts that explain the large-scale circulation of both fluids. Starting from the equations of motion, we will develop an understanding of geostrophic and hydrostatic balance, inertia-gravity waves, geostrophic adjustment, potential vorticity, quasi-geostrophic dynamics, Rossby waves, baroclinic instability, and Ekman layers.
Instructor: Callies

ESE 131. Ocean Dynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2025-26. Prerequisites: ESE 102 and ESE 130, or instructor's permission. This course gives an in-depth discussion of the fluid dynamics of the world ocean. Building on the concepts developed in ESE 130, this course explores the vertical structure of the wind-driven gyre circulation, thermocline theory, the dynamics of the Southern Ocean, eddies and eddy parameterizations, geostrophic turbulence, submesoscale dynamics, the circulation of the deep ocean, tides, internal waves, and turbulent mixing. Offered 2025-26.
Instructor: Callies

ESE 104. Current Problems in Environmental Science and Engineering. 1 unit; second term, 2024-25. Discussion of current research by ESE graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Instructor: Callies

ESE 130. Fundamentals of Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2024-25. Prerequisites: ESE 101 and ESE 102 recommended and Ma 2 or equivalent (instructor's permission). This course is an introduction to the fluid dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, with an emphasis on dynamical concepts that explain the large-scale circulation of both fluids. Starting from the equations of motion, we will develop an understanding of geostrophic and hydrostatic balance, inertia-gravity waves, geostrophic adjustment, potential vorticity, quasi-geostrophic dynamics, Rossby waves, baroclinic instability, and Ekman layers.
Instructor: Callies

ESE 138. Waves in Geophysical Fluids. 9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2024-25. Prerequisites: ESE 131 or instructor's permission. This course offers an in-depth discussion of waves in fluids, with a focus on rotating and stratified fluids and applications to the ocean. Topics include dispersive and non-dispersive wave propagation, propagation in inhomogeneous media, WKB approximation and ray tracing, elements of wave-mean flow interaction theory. These principles will be applied to sound waves, surface gravity waves, internal gravity waves, and Rossby waves. Consequences for the general circulation of the ocean and opportunities for observing the ocean will serve as motivation.
Instructor: Callies

ESE 130. Introduction to Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics. 9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2021-22. Prerequisites: ESE 101 or ESE 102 and Ma 2 or equivalent (instructor's permission). This course is an introduction to the fluid dynamics of the atmosphere and ocean, with an emphasis on dynamical concepts that explain the large-scale circulation of both fluids. Starting from the equations of motion, we will develop an understanding of geostrophic and hydrostatic balance, inertia-gravity waves, geostrophic adjustment, potential vorticity, quasi-geostrophic dynamics, Rossby waves, baroclinic instability, and Ekman layers.
Instructor: Callies