Field methods, data analysis, and models in Marine Sciences

After the successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Survey planning and sampling design for various types of oceanographic data collection - evaluation of field work uncertainties
• Data acquisition
• Application of post processing data analysis techniques with various types of softwares - evaluation of the results
• Knowledge of the basic principles of time-series analysis and numerical modelling - interpertation of resulting outputs and physical processes
• Appropriate use of collected data / parameters as inputs in various models in marine sciences
• Know the most appropriate methods of ecological monitoring for the main groups of marine species
• Analyze real ecological monitoring data

• Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology

• Working independently

• Team work

• Adapting to new situations (field work)

• Decision-making

• Project planning and management

• Respect for the natural environment

• Working in an interdisciplinary environment

• Respect for the natural environment

• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking

• Field work onboard "RV Amfitriti" for the collection of oceanographic data (physico-chemical parameters of the water column, sediments, bathy-morphological and geological data, benthic samples etc)
• Physical parameters of the water column
• Chemical properties of the water column and seabed properties
• Benthic analysis
• Bathymetric and geomorphological (from side scan sonar and subbottom profiler) data processing and analysis using special softwares. GIS charting
• Seabed sample analysis
• Post-processing of coastal hydrodynamic data (waves, currents)
• Time-series analysis in meteorological and oceanographic data
• Coastal modelling for the prediction of coastal hydrodynamics and its impact in beach profile morphological changes
• Methods of ecological monitoring such as counts in fixed surfaces, distance sampling, mark-recapture, removal methods, repetitive recording of presence/absence
• Multivariate statistical analysis in ecological data, biocommunities characteristics
• Use of special software for the analysis of ecological monitoring data

Suggested bibliography

Various, depending on the oceanographic subject studied

• Emery, W. J. and Thomson, R. E., 2014: Data Analysis Methods in Physical Oceanography, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, ISBN: 9780123877833
• Manuals of oceanographic and sonar instruments and processing softwares

Scientific journals, in example

• Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
• Measurement
• Methods in Oceanography
• Marine Geology