Consistent with the research themes of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, the overarching focus of the Upper Ocean Dynamics Laboratory (UODL) is to develop, implement, and disseminate academic research on the coupling between the oceanic and atmospheric boundary layers under weak and strong wind conditions. The UOD lab studies submesocale and mesoscale processes from the seasonal oceanic thermocline, surface mixed layer across the air-sea interface and the atmospheric boundary layer. This is accomplished through experimental (remote sensing, aircraft and buoys), empirical, theoretical and numerical studies within the laboratory and with strong collaborations with NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Hurricane Center, National Center for Environmental Prediction and Aircraft Operations Center.
Academically, the lab aims to give students pursuing education in Air-Sea Interaction research at the Rosenstiel School, a broad range of course options in Applied Marine Physics, Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry and Meteorology and Physical Oceanography where the focus is on understanding basic oceanic processes. Rosenstiel faculty and research staff work diligently to provide students with a solid background in designing and conducting experimental research aimed at improving our understanding of physical oceanic processes and their relationship to the atmospheric boundary layer. Theoretical and numerical studies focus on assessing parameterizations used in models and evaluating algorithmic performance in oceanic and coupled models. Students are given several options to conduct their Senior Project, M.S. and Ph.D. level research in these disciplines and publish their results in top-tier journals.
