An introductory course to oceanography covering the dimensions of the science of oceanography, the physical and chemical properties of sea water, waves, tides, currents, life in the ocean, and the geologic structure of the ocean floor, environmental concerns, and human use of the oceans.
Course Outcomes
- Understand how the scientific method works, how it has been applied in Earth science, and how it differs from other ways of acquiring knowledge.
- Articulate how the Earth is in integrative system across many scientific disciplines.
- Understand the internal structure of the Earth and the dynamic processes of plate tectonics that shape its surface, including seafloor spreading, subduction, and continental drift.
- Understand the causes of rising sea level and its impacts on coastal areas, including erosion and beach loss.
- Identify the major pathways of chemicals to the oceans and the effect that biological processes have on redistributing and removing chemicals from the oceans.
- Describe the major processes that cause the deep and shallow circulation of water in the oceans.
- Identify the major marine habitats, the types of organisms that live in those habitats, and give examples of how organisms are adapted to their habitat.
- Describe the types of interactions that occur among organisms in the marine food web and between organisms and their environment.