About the Course: Operational oceanography involves reliable, long term observations of the world's oceans, rapid interpretation and dissemination of data and generation of products and advisories that can be distributed to users in near real time. The recent advances made in observational technologies in the fields of sensors, platforms and real-time communications now provide unpr ecedented capability to observe the oceans in detail. Scientists worldwide are working towards the establishment of a comprehensive network of observational instruments that will criss-cross the world's oceans. Data from such ocean observation systems are delivered both in real-time and delayed mode to the scientific community. These data are extensively used in operational weather, ocean and climate forecasting. These systems provide critical data for assimilation in ocean analysis and forecast models. The new knowledge acquired from these observing systems has led to improved understanding of different phenomena and processes of the global tropical ocean basins, particularly of the Indian ocean-monsoon coupled system. With evolving technological developments, we have new challenges and opportunities for the ocean community. However, it is necessary to enhance the capacity of some of the countries to make the much required ocean observations and train personnel to use the data from them. The training programme will address these issues for the capacity building of the countries in the Indian Ocean region, leading to better utilization of the high quality data sets and better services to the people in this region. Course Objectives : The lectures will cover the following broad topics: An overview of recent advances in ocean observations, data sets and applications Fundamentals of time series analysis techniques (Filters in time and space, Fourier analysis, Confidence tests, EOF) An overview of ocean models and data sets, quality assessment of operational ocean forecasts Hands-on exercises on analysis of data