Oceanography

Classes

OCN 101: Introduction to the Marine Option Program

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 1 Lecture Hours 1

OCN 101 provides the student with an overview of statewide issues, agencies and organizations involved in ocean and freshwater activities to students interested in becoming involved in the Marine Option Program (MOP). The course will review the requirements of the MOP Certificate and explore opportunities for internships, research projects and careers related to aquatic environments. The course will present guidelines for the MOP skill project: proposal writing, project implementation, data collection and interpretation, and final report preparation and presentation.

Recommended Preparation

Credit or concurrent enrollment in ENG 100.

Course Outcomes
  • Develop a curriculum/program to facilitate the completion of a Marine Option Program (MOP) Certificate at Windward Community College and other MOP campuses.
  • Describe the ocean and freshwater related activities that are being undertaken statewide and on other UH campuses.
  • Find information about statewide/nationwide/international projects, organizations, and career opportunities relating to marine and freshwater systems.
  • Find information about internship and scholarship opportunities relating to water environments.
  • Identify an appropriate MOP project topic.
  • Identify appropriate mentors and experts in the project area.
  • Complete a written MOP project proposal.
  • Prepare and deliver an oral presentation.

OCN 102: Introduction to the Environment and Sustainability

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DB
This course will introduce students to the basic principles of environmental science and sustainability as they apply to analysis of environmental systems on a global scale. The integrated natures of ocean, terrestrial and atmospheric systems will be introduced by first introducing the Earth’s major ecosystems and then discussing their coupled integration. The concepts of sustainability will be infused into the course with an emphasis on the importance of sustaining resources and mitigating pollution to ecosystems. This issue of sustainability will be approached from the perspective of the impact that 9 billion or more people will impose upon the planets resources and ecosystems. Similarly, this course will include the concepts of sustainability with Native Hawaiian culture and indigenous knowledge.
Course Outcomes
  • Define the Earth’s major ecosystems and the major flows of matter and energy through them.
  • List the identity, source and action of the major pollutants that disrupt these ecosystems.
  • Relate the carrying capacities of each major ecosystem relative to these pollutant loads, as well as the consequences to the environment if they fail.
  • Define the fundamentals of sustainability metrics in terms of major impact categories (into which pollutants and activities are grouped) and their units.
  • State how the cultural practices and indigenous knowledge of the Native Hawaiians relate to sustainability.

OCN 120: Global Environmental Challenges

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
Scientific approach to evaluating human-caused environmental challenges and their potential solutions.
Recommended Preparation

Basic pre-college level math, chemistry, physics.

Course Outcomes
  • Apply scientific principles and methods to describe natural Earth system interactions and human impacts on the environment.
  • Solve very basic problems involving chemistry and physics, and read and create graphs of data.
  • Apply scientific principles and methods to compare causes of environmental problems and impacts of potential solutions to environmental challenges.
  • Apply scientific principles and reasoning to critically evaluate proposed explanations for global environmental challenges.

OCN 201: Science of the Sea

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Designation
DP
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.

OCN 201L: Science of the Sea Lab

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3
Designation
DY

Experiments, computer exercises and field trips demonstrating the geological, physical, chemical and biological principles, and equipment, of earth and ocean sciences.

Recommended Preparation

High school algebra and chemistry; ability to use a computer.

Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in OCN 201 or equivalent preparation or consent of instructor.

Course Outcomes
  • Develop a practical understanding of the principals of oceanography.
  • Use the methodology of marine biology and oceanography to define and solve problems independently and collaboratively.
  • Use a wide variety of laboratory and field techniques with accuracy, precision and safety.
  • Accurately interpret biological and oceanographic information.
  • Demonstrate proficient library, mathematical and computer skills in data gathering and analysis.
  • Apply scientific concepts to environmental and societal issues.
  • Apply their learning in an off-campus professional setting.

OCN 260: Pacific Surf Science and Technology

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3
Pacific Surf Science and Technology is a lecture-based course that showcases scientific and industry aspects of the surfing world for surfers and non-surfers. The course takes a scientific approach to understanding the natural processes that create and influence Waves and surf conditions, while also introducing many ocean safety concepts relating to the environment and the popularity of ocean recreation. A weather and surf journal along with weekly campus field excursions dedicated to studying weather phenomena adds an essential experiential component to the course.
Recommended Preparation

Ability to access information from the Internet.

Course Outcomes
  • Discuss the basic principles of meteorology, oceanography, and geology as they apply to the creation and shaping of waves and surf.
  • Predict surf conditions using Internet web sites and local weather station reports.
  • Compare and contrast past and present surfboard technology and production.
  • Apply the principles of design, production, and retail marketing within surfing related industries.
  • Assess the various multimedia applications related to surfing.
  • Demonstrate water safety issues related to surfing.
  • Apply the basic techniques of surfing.
  • Maintain logs of weather and surf observations to use in future forecasts.

OCN 260L: O‘ahu Surf Science and Technology Lab

Discipline
Oceanography
Credits 1 Lab Hours 3

OCN 260L is a field lab designed to run concurrently with OCN 260, Pacific Surf Science and Technology. The course presents the surfing world through laboratory and field activities, including surfing demonstrations and instruction, learning water safety techniques, studying board design at surfboard manufacturing shops, and speaking with local industry professionals. Meteorology and surf forecasting techniques are covered through on site weather observation activities, and physical processes involved in shaping waves as they approach a shoreline will be examined through several coastal studies.

Prerequisites

Credit for or registration in OCN 260.

Course Outcomes
  • Distinguish between pre-historic, traditionally built papa he‘e nalu, historic-era, and modern surfboards.
  • Outline the procedures involved in surfboard production.
  • Operate safely a surfboard using the basic techniques of surfing.
  • Access information on and identify local weather phenomena and ocean/surf conditions around O‘ahu.
  • Describe at least five ocean and surf industries.
  • Identify wave-generating facilities.
  • Maintain a journal of surfing experiences.