Earth Sciences 1 - Oceanography

Discover the Secrets of Monterey Bay

Course Goals, Resources, and Description: In lecture, you will be introduced to the basic workings of the ocean, how the ocean basins were formed and what they looked like millions of years ago. You will explore submarine canyons in Monterey Bay and deep sea trenches in the western Pacific. You will discover how life evolved and emerged from the seas; how currents and waves are formed. You will discover how the ocean influences global climate; how hurricanes form; and how beaches are created and destroyed. You will also learn how civilization is polluting the ocean and what can be done to stop it. In the end, you will come away with a deeper understanding of how the ocean works and greater appreciation for the benefits we derive from it.

Weekly discussion sessions and problem sets provide more in-depth coverage of specific topics discussed in lecture. The problem sets are an important component of the course work. They have been designed with two objectives in mind. First, they provide you with a more quantitative understanding of oceanic processes discussed in lecture. Many of these processes are more easily understood when examined in a quantitative manner. Second, the exercises will teach you how to apply simple mathematical concepts to solving practical problems and questions. Our goal is to teach you how to apply math to problem solving in the context of oceanography. Graduate teaching assistants will introduce topics and instruct you on how to approach each problem set. They will be present to assist you during section and afterwards during their office hours. Most of the problem sets can be completed during section, although you are usually allowed a week to complete them. Although each individual is expected to complete his or her own work, we encourage group interaction during section.

Course Resources: Visual aids are an important component of both lectures and discussion section. This course utilizes various multi-media such as video, computer graphics, and the World Wide web. During lectures, we will take time to visit various web sites that contain information relevant to that days topic. We will access satellite images of clouds, sea surface temperatures, and sea ice distribution. You will be given the opportunity to access these and other web sites yourself during lecture and in discussion section.

Discover how massive storms in the south Pacific create surf along the California coastline

An abbreviated version of the lecture notes will be available through this web site and on reserve in the Science and McHenry Libraries. Graphics, past exams, and study guides will be accessible through this page as well.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION

Oceanography introduces students to the basics workings of the ocean. Topics include the origin and geological evolution of ocean basins; sea floor morphology; origin, distribution, historical record, and economic significance of marine sediments; ocean nutrients and productivity; marine climate and weather; ocean currents, waves, tides, and changing sealevel; beaches, shorelines, and coastal processes; marine pollution, greenhouse warming, and the role of the ocean in global change.

General Education Codes: IN, Q

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