Ocean Environment
Curriculum guideline
Lecture, lab, possible field trip.
1. Origin of the oceans: universe and Earth formation, outgassing.
2. History of ocean science: voyages of discovery and colonization, scientific exploration after 1750, modern era after 1900.
3. Plate tectonics and ocean basins: tectonic plates, earthquakes, Earth's layers, evidence for plate tectonics, plate boundaries, bathymetry and mapping, continental shelf / slope / rise, abyssal plain, trenches, ridges.
4. Ocean sediments and rocks: sediment types / distribution / composition, ocean floor rock types.
5. Water: molecular structure, bonding, heat capacity, density, temperature, salinity, moderation of atmospheric temperature, pycnocline / thermocline / halocline, water masses, refraction of sound and light, light penetration spectrum, solvent properties, seawater composition, dissolved gases, chemical equilibrium.
6. Atmospheric circulation: hydrologic cycle, composition and density, solar heating, Coriolis effect, circulation cells, weather.
7. Ocean circulation: Ekman spiral, gyres and currents, upwelling and downwelling, Langmuir circulation, ENSO / La Nina, thermohaline circulation.
8. Waves: characteristics, depth effect, refraction, oscillation, internal waves, tsunamis.
9. Tides: Newtonian model, effects of gravity and inertia, amphidromic systems, diurnal / semi-diurnal / mixed tides, tidal currents.
10. Coasts and estuaries: sea level change (including Vail curve), erosional and depositional coasts, beaches, deltas, estuary types, reefs.
11. Life in the oceans: physical and chemical factors, productivity, ecology, plankton, algae, plants, animals, carbon and nitrogen cycles, reefs, hydrothermal vents.
12. Resources of the ocean: law of the sea, fisheries, whales, petroleum, minerals.
13. Contemporary issues: may include waste disposal, sea-level rise, rising temperatures, decreasing biodiversity, eutrophication, coral bleaching, oil spills, national control of resources, and others.
14. Labs may cover the following topics:
- Use of maps, profiles and graphs to describe and interpret data
- Bathymetry
- Sea floor spreading
- Tides
- Materials of the sea floor (sediments and rocks)
- Sea water temperatures
- Salinity
- Currents
- Waves
- Life in the sea, food webs
- Productivity
- Seawater chemistry
- Minerals and rocks
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Appreciate the interaction of ocean, atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
2. Describe the circulation systems of the atmosphere, ocean and mantle.
3. Identify and describe the materials of the ocean, atmosphere and lithosphere.
4. Understand the major physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in the ocean.
5. Illustrate ocean science concepts using maps, graphs and other methods.
6. Discuss contemporary environmental issues using knowledge of ocean sciences.
| Participation and In-class assignments | 0-10% |
| Project | 0-20% |
| Labs | 10-20% |
| Lab Exams | 15-25% |
| Lecture Exams | 55-60% |
| Term Exam(s) | 20-40% |
| Final Exam | 20-30% |
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the table above.
Students should consult the bookstore for the latest required course materials, including textbook.
Textbook: Garrison, T; Oceanography, An Invitation to Marine Science; Brookes/Cole (Cengage); most recent version; or equivalent text.
Lab package: labs will be available as a custom package through the book store, or directly from the lab instructor.
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