Waves and instabilities
The course covers the central dynamical phenomena in the atmosphere and ocean: large scale waves and barotropic and baroclinic instability, showing how they be explained with the help of fundamental equations of geophysical fluid dynamics.
The course shows how various dynamical phenomena in atmosphere and ocean (geostrophic adjustment, geostrophic and quasigeostrophic flow, Rossby, Kelvin, Poincaré and equatorial waves) emerge from the same underlying theory of geophysical fluid dynamics. The course also covers barotropic and baroclinic inistability. Although focusing on applications of Shallow Water Equations, the theory taught during the course is relevant for the more complex systems of equations used in climate models and operational weather models.
The course is a part of the Master’s Programme in Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography and Climate Physics, but may also be taken as an individual course. Example applications span planetary atmospheres and astrophysical plasmas, so students interested in these topics might also find the course relevant.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Welcome to your studies at the Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University.
All accepted students receive a welcome letter via email with important information for their studies.
Roll Call
At MISU, the course starts with a mandatory roll call. You will get more detailed information about the roll call via email. If you plan to start the education but for some reason cannot participate at the roll call, please contact our study counselor. Otherwise you risk losing your spot in the course. Contact information for the study counselor is listed at the bottom of this page.
Registration
If you are accepted to a course, you can register for it through your University account.
You can register online in Ladok, by logging in with the "eduID" or "Universityadmissions.se" options. Please note that you cannot log in with the option "Access through your institution".
If you have problems registering, please contact our study counselor. Contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.
Conditionally accepted
If you have been accepted with conditions then you must contact the study counselor before you can start the education. Please do this as soon as possible and well ahead of the start of the course. Contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.
On a waiting list
Have you received information that you are on a waiting list for a course? You will always be contacted by us via email if you are accepted. Generally, we do not accept anyone from the waiting list beyond 1 week into the semester.
Find your way to MISU
MISU has its own lecture rooms and all of them are in the same corridor as the rest of the department. You will get your own entry card for access to the department. MISU is located on 6th floor, building C in the Arrhenius Laboratories.
Classes during the coming semester
You can find more detailed information about each individual course via the teaching platform Athena. You will get access to each respective course page as soon as you activate your University account and have been registered for the course. If you have any questions, please contact the study counselor (contact information below).
Contact
Study counselor
Phone: 08-162418
Email: studievagledare@misu.su.se
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
The course shows how various dynamical phenomena in atmosphere and ocean (geostrophic adjustment, geostrophic and quasigeostrophic flow, Rossby, Kelvin, Poincaré and equatorial waves) emerge from the same underlying theory of geophysical fluid dynamics. The course also covers barotropic and baroclinic inistability. Although focusing on applications of Shallow Water Equations, the theory taught during the course is relevant for the more complex systems of equations used in climate models and operational weather models.
The course is a part of the Master’s Programme in Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography and Climate Physics, but may also be taken as an individual course. Example applications span planetary atmospheres and astrophysical plasmas, so students interested in these topics might also find the course relevant.
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Course structure
Learning outcomes: After taking this course the student is expected to be able to explain geophysical phenomena in atmosphere and ocean using basic equations of geophysical fluid dynamics and to couple the theory for barotropic and baroclinic instability to observed weather- and ocean phenomena.
Teaching format
The teaching consists of lectures and tutorials including: theory exercises, weather discussions, a computer lab and a rotating tank lab. Participation in labs and the associated group tutorials is compulsory. Under special circumstances, the student may be granted exemption from certain parts of the compulsory teaching.
The teaching language is English.
Course material
Course materials and correspondence related to the course will be available on the course Athena site at https://athena.itslearning.com once you have registered for the course.
Assessment
Assessment consists of delivery reports, active participation in weather discussions, and written examination. Grading criteria and more information will be available on the course Athena site at https://athena.itslearning.com once you have registered for the course.
Examiner
Here is a link to a list of course coordinators and examiners.
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.You can search for schedules from previous years in TimeEdit, by entering the course code.
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Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Geoffrey K. Vallis: Essentials of Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, 2019. ISBN: 1107692792.
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Course reports
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Contact
Study counselor
