Topics on surface gravity waves are discussed and may include wave dispersion, short and long surface waves, wave groups, wind generation of waves. Near shore processes are discussed including topics on wave refraction and shoaling, surf and rip currents and long shore drift. An introduction is presented to the use of models in the marine environment to describe physical and ecological processes. We consider the development of models from our basic knowledge of the science of the oceans and consider analytical and numerical models with applications to both small-scale coastal systems and the global ocean.