Abstract:

This presentation intends to summarize the adaptation of a subject in physical oceanography to the European higher education area for a new grade. The objective of this subject is that students know the basic theories and conceptual schemes of physical oceanography. In particular they will be able to understand which are the physical properties of water, the processes that influence the oceans, the distribution of currents and winds, the atmosphere-ocean interaction, the energy flows and mass movements of water, the waves and tides…

Physical oceanography is offered as an optional subject on the 2nd semester of 3rd and 4th course of the degree in Environmental Science being taught in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Vigo since the academic year 2010/11. The degree has a multidisciplinary character as it is intended that future graduates achieve full training to enable them to solve environmental problems with different approaches.

Students can get several mentions in the degree depending on the optional subjects studied. Physical oceanography would be framed within eight subjects to be taken to the mention of atmospheric processes and climate. These subjects meet the regulations of the University of Vigo linked to its stabilization and viability. The relationship of these courses offered by the degree will depend on future demand for enrollment, changes in the labor market and social reality, leaving open the possibility of replacing some or amend the offer.

Keywords:

Physical oceanography, higher education area, new grade.