A seminar based course considering contemporary topics involved in ocean exploration. Faculty and guest speakers will describe thematic ocean engineering subareas through weekly presentations. The presentations will provide examples of engineering applications and ocean exploration. Class participation credit can be earned through oral discussions, presentation of contemporary OE topics, or hands on projects.

Survey of engineering applications in the ocean environment. Topics vary an include hydrodynamics, waves, tides, underwater sound, instrumentation, marine geomechanics, and naval architecture. Includes guest lectures by faculty members from the Engineering departments. Prereq: PHYS 407.

An investigation of the discrete and integrated electronics typically used in the design and implementation of ocean instruments. Topics include both passive and active analog electronic elements typically used for signal conditioning of common oceanographic sensors (e.g., thermistors, pressure sensors, acoustic transducers); A/D and D/A conversion, sensor sampling criteria and rules, with examples from contemporary ocean instruments; embedded micro-controller/microcomputer modules for autonomous or remote sensing in ocean environments; inter-instrument communications methods typically used in ocean instruments (e.g., serial and network communications). Laboratory time will be used to develop practical experience in specification, design, development and testing of various ocean instrument components based on the material presented. Prereq: MATH 527; MATH 528; ECE 537 ; IAM 550.

A survey of basic principles of seamanship and marine weather intended for ocean engineers and ocean scientists. Reviews ship and vessel nomenclature, shipboard safety, techniques for equipment handling and instrument deployment, common shipboard evolutions associated with scientific cruises, navigation principles, and marine weather phenomena and products. Includes field trips and practical applications.