Fluid flows are widespread in nature and everyday life. The study of fluid behaviour is a fundamental and evolving field that spans major areas in science. Consequently, this course is designed to be of interest and relevance for all students majoring in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, or physical streams of marine or climate science. It aims to establish fundamental physical concepts in fluid dynamics, and to apply these concepts to a range of practical examples. At the conclusion of this course students will have an appreciation of a wide variety of fluid phenomena, including areas of current research, and the techniques that can be used to investigate and model flow behaviour.

The course begins with an overview of the field of fluid mechanics, and description of the physics governing fluid flow.  These physical principles are applied to a number of examples, including free-surface flows, aerodynamics, stratified flows and gravity waves, convection and heat transfer, and fluid instability.  The course includes the dynamics of buoyancy-driven flows, and the effects of planetary rotation, allowing investigation into the circulation of the oceans and the atmosphere.  The physics of the greenhouse effect and ocean-atmosphere coupling, which lead to climate dynamics, are also included.

A course highlight is a series of experiments in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory.