This book is a direct result of the NATO Advanced Study Institute held
in Banyuls-sur-mer, France, June 1985. The Institute had the same title
as this book. It was held at Laboratoire Arago. Eighty lecturers and
students from almost all NATO countries attended. The purpose was to
review the state of the art of physical oceanographic numerical
modelling including the parameterization of physical processes. This
book represents a cross-section of the lectures presented at the ASI. It
covers elementary mathematical aspects through large scale practical
aspects of ocean circulation calculations. It does not encompass every
facet of the science of oceanographic modelling. We have, however,
captured most of the essence of mesoscale and large-scale ocean
modelling for blue water and shallow seas. There have been considerable
advances in modelling coastal circulation which are not included. The
methods section does not include important material on phase and group
velocity errors, selection of grid structures, advanced methods to
conservation in highly nonlinear systems, inverse methods and other
important ideas for modern ocean modelling. Hopefully, this book will
provide a foundation of knowledge to support the growth of this emergent
field of science. The NATO Advanced Study Institute was supported by
many organi- zations. The seed money, of course, was received from the
NATO Science Commi ttee. Many national organizations provided travel
money for partiCipants. In France, CNES, IFREMER, and CNRS provided
funds to support the French participants. In the U. S.