MEK4400 – Theory of Hydrodynamic Stability
Course description
Course content
The Orr-Sommerfeld equation, stability of linear flow, stability criteria for inertial stability, stability of stratified flows, Couette flow, Poiseuille flow and boundary layer flow, stability of flow between coaxial rotating cylinders, stability criteria for the onset of thermal convection, non-linear effects, the Landau equation, transition to turbulence.
Learning outcome
To provide an introduction to the theory of hydrodynamic stability. The course can be used in a master or doctoral study in fluid mechanics, oceanography, meteorology or branches of physics and astrophysics.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
MEK3230 – Fluid Mechanics, MEK4300 – Viscous Flow and Turbulence, MAT-INF3360 – Introduction to Partial Differential Equations (continued). It will be useful to have knowledge about complex functional theory.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with MEK9400 – Theory of Hydrodynamic Stability
*The information about overlaps for discontinued courses may not be complete. If you have questions, please contact the Department.
Teaching
4 hours of lectures per week.
Upon the attendance of three or fewer students, the lecturer may, in conjunction with the Head of Teaching, change the course to self-study with supervision.
Examination
Final oral or written examination. The form of examination will be announced by the teaching staff by 15 October/15 March for the autumn semester and the spring semester respectively.
Examination support material
Written examination: Rottmann's formula list + approved calculator.
Information about approved calculators (Norwegian only)
Language of examination
Subjects taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English.
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.