1. Physical Oceanography Division Graduate Faculty: Eric Firing Pierre Flament Rudolf Kloosterziel Roger Lukas Doug Luther Lorenz Magaard Jay McCreary (IPRC)‏ Margaret McManus Mark Merrifield Peter Muller Brian Powell (welcome!)‏ Bo Qiu Kelvin Richards (IPRC)‏ Niklas Schneider (IPRC)‏ Axel Timmerman (IPRC)‏ PhD-level researchers (non-IPRC): Jerome Aucan Glenn Carter Julia Hummon Many IPRC researchers contribute to PO strength in SOEST.

2. Presentation topics illustrate the diversity, but are weighted towards observations, modeling, and operational activities. Peter Muller: Towards a statistical mechanical model of the climate system Bo Qiu: Mesoscale observations, present and future Margaret McManus: Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System (RCOOS) development Doug Luther: Observatories, global-scale observing systems; future directions and opportunities Kelvin Richards and Brian Powell: Regional and process modeling Roger Lukas: PO graduate student recruiting and education The topics are interrelated. The health of the enterprise requires diversity and balance, within and among individuals: among observations, theory, and modeling; among “small science”, “big science”, and operational activities; and among research, teaching, and service.

3. Applying oceanography requires understanding of ocean processes, starting from solid theoretical underpinnings. Observing systems (satellite altimetry) and technologies developed for observing systems (ARGO)‏ contribute to classical process-oriented studies; and they will be able to contribute even more in the future.

4. An increase in what we might call operational oceanography is occurring, and the question is what role we want to play. It would be unwise as well as unpalatable for us to abandon our interests and activities in basic research while jumping on the observation system bandwagon. We need to foster the development of scientifically and economically sound observing systems--but much of the administrative and operational implementation should be delegated to those more skilled in these activities. In parallel with the development of regional observing systems is the growth of larger-scale and global observing systems, usually with a strong emphasis on climate. Satellite remote sensing systems and the ARGO program are obvious examples; cabled ocean observatories are another. These systems require centers of expertise in operation, data processing, and analysis; SOEST can become a major locus of such centers.

5. Progress in numerical modeling largely involves an inward movement to smaller spatial and shorter temporal scales, and an outward movement to include coupling among the ocean, atmosphere, and land, and among physical, chemical, and biological processes. Modeling on the regional scale is at the forefront because it can include both of these movements by resolving sub-mesoscale physics, biology, and ocean-atmosphere interaction.

6. We need to more effectively recruit top students to learn the full range of skills required for future professions in oceanography, from the nuts-and-bolts operation of observation and modeling systems to curiosity-driven research into how the ocean works and interacts with the atmosphere. Such recruiting, and the education that must follow, requires improved public relations--to make bright students aware of the opportunities--combined with new curricular tracks directed toward the needs of the profession for the next few decades. Examples include a climate track in collaboration with meteorology, and operational tracks for the observational and modeling segments of observing systems.