NAUT8001 - Advanced Maritime Meteorology

Module Details

Module Code: NAUT8001
Title: Advanced Maritime Meteorology
Long Title: Advanced Maritime Meteorology
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2013/14 ( September 2013 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5253 - Nautical Science
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: The purpose of this module is to deliver the detailed knowledge of atmospheric and oceanographic processes to be appraised by shipboard management for decision-making in the safe navigation of ships. Students will be able to describe in detail the formation, dissipation, and associated weather with weather systems. Students will interpret meteorological charts, and predict weather conditions and patterns. They will be able to state the methods for identifying and avoiding tropical revolving storms and ice and explain the formation of ocean currents for route planning.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain the factors that affect atmospheric stability.
LO2 Appraise the formation and characteristics of air masses, related depressions, and associated weather.
LO3 Determine the actions to be taken by mariners when encountering Tropical Revolving Storms and sea ice.
LO4 Analyse the causes, distribution, and characteristics of ocean currents.
LO5 Interpret synoptic and oceanographic charts to predict weather conditions.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
None
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
None
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
Learners should have completed Meteorology for Mariners NAUT7003
 
Indicative Content
The atmosphere
Adiabatic processes. Dry, saturated, environmental and dew point lapse rates. Calculations using lapse rates. Atmospheric stability, instability and conditional instability.
Global wind system
The global wind system including Hadley and Ferrel cells. Affect on global pressure areas and the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.
Pressure systems
The lifecycle of depressions. Associated weather including warm. cold and occluded fronts. Representation on synoptic charts. Anticyclones.
Air masses
Formation of air masses. Characteristics of air masses. Identification of air masses that affect continents. Modification of air masses.
Precipitation and thunderstorms
The formation of precipitation including rain, hail and snow. Formation of thunderstorms, lightning and associated weather including line squalls.
Tropical Revolving Storms (TRS)
The lifecycle of a TRS. Signs of an approaching TRS. Action to take to avoid a TRS. Action to take if a ship encounters a TRS. Masters' duties in are of a TRS as required by SOLAS.
Ocean currents
The causes and formation of ocean currents. Identification of the main ocean currents and how they vary according to season. Use of current charts.
Ice
Sea and river ice. Types of ice. Arctic and Antarctic ice. Detection of ice. Navigating in ice. Masters' duties on sighting ice.
Weather routing
The principles of weather routing. Available routing products. Sources of weather routing products.
Synoptic and other weather related charts
Interpretation of synoptic charts. Other relevant charts including sea and swell height charts. Predict weather using charts. Identify internet adresses for the download of weather and related charts.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Project based on analysis of atmospheric weather conditions.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
Essay based on ship navigation in weather, oceanographic planning.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 70
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Research and project work Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Meteorological Office. (1978), Meteorology for mariners, Latest. All, H.M. Stationery Off., London, [ISBN: 978-0114003111].
  • Meteorological office. (1978), A course in elementary meteorology, Latest. All, H.M.S.O., London, [ISBN: 0114003122].
  • C. Donald Ahrens. (2011), Essentials of Meteorology., Latest. All, [ISBN: 978-0840053084].
  • HMSO. (2009), The Mariner's Handbook, 9th. HMSO, London, [ISBN: 978-0707741055].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • by R. M. Frampton and P. A. Uttridge. (2009), Meteorology for seafarers, 3rd. All, Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd, Glasgow, [ISBN: 978-0851747996].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SNASC_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nautical Science 2 Elective
CR_SNSCI_8 Certificate in Nautical Science 2 Mandatory