Earth Sciences 206

Principles of Oceanography

Ozeas Costa

Credit hours: 5
GEC categories: Natural Science (Physical Science). Sequences: 100-206, 121-206
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 100 or 121 or permission from the instructor.

Text Books:

Example Syllabus: syllabus1.pdf
Website: http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/faculty/ocosta/GS206/GS206.htm

Course Objectives: This course will provide students with a basic introduction to the principles and methods of oceanography. Students will learn about the descriptive geography of the oceans as well as about some of the key historical events that contributed to the development of oceanography as a science and led to our present state of understanding of the world’s oceans. Students will recognize the different areas of the study of the oceans (geological, chemical, physical and biological oceanography) and their respective techniques. They will also learn about coastal oceanography, the processes acting at the boundary between land and ocean, and the results of the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. Students will review major oceanographic process and their impacts on the planet, as well as the environmental and economic importance of the ocean in our lives. This course fulfills the learning objectives of the GEC Natural Science requirement. It also provides a laboratory experience for students. Laboratory activities will offer students the opportunity to apply their content understandings to solve hands-on oceanographic problems.

Course Content: “Principles of Oceanography” is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Oceanography for early science and non-science majors. The course will provide an overview of the historical, physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of the oceans, as well their importance to the Earth System. It contains 13 lessons grouped in 9 modules. Module I introduces the science of Oceanography and the importance of studying the oceans. It discusses the role of the ocean in the Earth System and the origins of Earth’s ocean. It also provides a description of our planet’s oceans and major seas. Module II deals with the history of oceanography from the early Polynesian navigators to the current status of the science of oceanography. Module III introduces the geology of the sea-floor with two lessons looking at marine provinces and marine sediments. Module IV discusses the physical and chemical properties of water and seawater. Module V will discuss some of the most important interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. Module VI will have three lessons dealing with major physical processes in the ocean, including the formation and development of ocean currents, waves and tides. Module VII covers coastal oceanography and the processes happening at the boundary between land and ocean. Module VIII deals with the distribution of life in the oceans, as well as biological productivity and energy transfer in the marine environment. The last module (Module IX: Uses and abuses of the ocean) is tentative and will be offered if time allows.

Method of Presentation: Slide-illustrated lectures supplemented by laboratory activities (2 2-hr cl, 1 2-hr lab).

Method of Evaluation: Two midterm quizzes (15% each), lab reports (30%), final exam (30%), and participation on course activities (10%).

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