MATLAB Programming for Ocean Sciences

Catalog description

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course introduces students to computational methods used in oceanographic data analysis through MATLAB programming. It combines lectures and hands-on labs to build practical skills in data handling, visualization and scientific computation. Students learn how to write scripts, work with real oceanographic datasets and create visual representations. The course encourages problem-solving, trouble-shooting and independent learning as students apply coding techniques to real-world ocean data. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. This course provides valuable technical skills that are widely used in academic research, government agencies and private industry. Students gain experience with MATLAB oceanographic toolboxes that support data analysis and research in oceanography, climate science and other data-driven fields. By the end of the semester, students are prepared to process and visualize large datasets, skills that are transferable to future coursework, research projects and professional roles that require computational thinking. KEY TOPICS AND THEMES. Key topics include MATLAB programming fundamentals, data input and manipulation, visualization techniques and analysis of oceanographic datasets. Students explore the use of oceanographic toolboxes, mapping and time series analysis. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of the instructor.