SYLLABUS                                                                                                                             

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SPRING 2008                                                       

 

Course: Oceanography Lecture (OCN 100); Class # 30860; Th 6:30-9:20 p.m.; Room NS-135

Instructor:  Mr. Glen Foss

E-mail: gnfoss@cox.net or gfoss@palomar.edu; Voicemail: 760-744-1150 X5082

Required text: Essentials of Oceanography, 9th Ed., Trujillo and Thurman (2008)

Oceanography Home Page: http://oceanography.palomar.edu/

Instructor=s Home Page: http://faculty.palomar.edu/gfoss/ (linked to oceanography home page)

Blackboard Page: http://www.palomar.edu/pconline/ (log in as for eServices; click on link for this course)

 

Do you understand:

·       why the southern California offshore waters have islands, banks, and deep basins?

·       why the ocean is salty?

·       why we are blessed with one of the best climates in the world?

·       all the talk about El Niño and La Niña?

·       how a wave breaks?

·       the tides?

·       why grunion “run” when they do?

·       why there is a controversy about cleaning the dead kelp off our beaches?

·       what makes some parts of the ocean more biologically productive than others?

 

Can you discuss intelligently:

·       how scientists “read” the history of the oceans by studying the sediments?

·       our continuing and related problems of coastal erosion and shrinking beaches

·       the causes of tsunami and how warning systems work?

·       the causes and predicted effects of global warming?

·       sources and effects of marine pollution?

·       why the oceans are not fulfilling their promise of feeding the planet’s human population?

·       the Marine Mammal Protection Act and its influence on the local tourism and fishing industries?

 

The ocean is the largest feature on the surface of the earth. It makes this planet habitable for life as we know it, and it influences our daily lives in ways we often fail to appreciate. The ocean most profoundly affects those of us who live in coastal areas, and we can never know enough about it. Welcome to oceanography!

 

Course Objectives

As a survey course in the broad science of oceanography, the content will include an overview of the history and scope of oceanography, as well as an examination of the processes that shape the modern ocean environment. More specifically, we will:

·       learn about the origins of the earth, the oceans, and the science of oceanography;

·       study the interrelationship of physical, chemical, geological, and biological oceanography;

·       review basic physical and chemical principles as they relate to ocean science;

·       apply the scientific method as it applies to oceanographic phenomena; and

·       gain an understanding of the impact of humans on the marine environment.

 

Because the subject matter is so diverse, we will not be able to cover all areas with equal emphasis or detail. The key objective is to gain an understanding and appreciation of the dynamic processes and delicate balances existing within the world’s oceans. With that background, you should be better prepared to enjoy life in our coastal community, to appreciate our responsibilities relative to the ocean, and to evaluate relevant issues from a factual and rational standpoint.

 

 

 

The Course Grade

The final grade in this course will be based upon the following:

§       Writing assignment (article review)                                                         40 points

§       Homework assignments                                                                        45 points

§       7 tests @ 30 points each                                                                     210 points

§       1 comprehensive final @ 100 points                                                     100 points

          TOTAL    395 points

Because the course builds upon previous material, all tests will be comprehensive and may contain material from any part of the course previously covered. All tests, including the final, are scantron formatted and contain multiple-choice, matching, and true-false questions. You will need to bring a scantron sheet (#882, 100 questions) and a #2 pencil to each test. You must take all tests (no test scores will be dropped). Final grades will be assigned on the basis of 350 points (minus curve adjustments) with these cutoffs:

 

A < 90%, B = 80-89%, C = 65-79%, D =55-64%, and F < 55%

 

One missed test (except for the final test) may be made up late in the term, probably before class at the last regular class session; otherwise a zero will be given for the missed test. You must submit a request to make up the test, specifying the test you missed, to me in writing before the subsequent test is given. A test that is taken cannot be repeated, and only one makeup test will be allowed. Academic integrity is expected. Copying from another’s test or quiz will not be tolerated, nor will plagiarism in written assignments.

 

Extra Credit

Frequent quizzes will be given, each of which will be good for up to five points of extra credit. They may be given at any time and will consist of short-answer questions. The quizzes may cover material previously covered, but mostly will be on assigned textbook reading. There will be no make-ups for missed extra-credit quizzes. (Hint: Don’t be late for class!) In addition to credit for quizzes, up to 10 points of extra credit may be earned by anyone who would like to give a 5-minute presentation to the class about a journal article you have read or experience/knowledge you may have related to oceanography. Points will be earned on the basis of how well the material is taught. Visual aids and/or handouts are strongly encouraged. You need to submit your request for an extra-credit presentation to me in writing by the end of week 9 of the semester (see schedule below) so that I can schedule your presentation when the topic is covered in class. Do not present material from our textbook or from your article review assignment. Extra credit may also be granted for attending beach cleanups or other ocean-related special events.

 

Attendance

It is the student’s responsibility to be here and on time for class meetings. You are responsible to get announced information, handouts, and/or notes from another student for any missed class. The course material is not particularly difficult, but we do cover a lot of ground, and it is important not to fall behind. If you anticipate missing more than 2 or 3 class sessions, please consider dropping the class and enrolling when you can give it the attention it deserves. Attendance is not used directly in calculating the course grade, but I do drop students for excessive absence.

 

Withdrawal Information

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the procedure for withdrawing from a course by filing the proper form with administration. Do not assume that the instructor will do it for you. The last day to drop a class with refund of enrollment fees is February 4. The last day to change grading status to “CR/NC” is February 21. The last day to drop with no notation on your record is February 20. A “W” grade will be given for drops between February 21 and March 15. After that, a standard letter grade will be given. Note: As a rule, I do not issue the “FW” grade. If you think your situation justifies an “FW”, contact me before the end of the semester.

 

Class Rules (not that many)

§       Basic consideration is the general rule. Don’t do anything to interfere with your classmates’ learning experience.

§       Be on time for class. Class will start at the scheduled time, and coming in late is inconsiderate of your fellow students and the instructor. If you do arrive late, find a seat at the back of the room to minimize disturbance.

§       When class starts, conversations cease.

§       Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off during class. If you forget to turn them off, turn them off as soon as they ring and do not answer them in the classroom.

§       If you sleep in class, you make a statement as to how much you value class time. If you snore or otherwise distract your classmates, we will wake you.

§       Please do not eat or drink in the classroom

 

Other

You will be required to become familiar with a number of places and geographic features and to be able to locate them on a world map. The list of places is available through a link provided on my home page. The following references are recommended for the geographically challenged and are available at the campus bookstores (They are not required.):

The New Comparative World Atlas; Hammond (2007)

The Geography Coloring Book; 3rd edition, Kapit (2003)

 

If you need a class progress report or grade update for your athletic department, high school, or other reason, you must give me advance notice. I do not carry those records with me.

 

Only students who are officially registered may participate in this class. If you are given a permission code to add this class, you must officially add the class prior to the next class meeting. If you have difficulty using the college’s computerized enrollment system to add, please notify the instructor immediately. The deadline for adding any class or using a permission code to add is January 27. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to add this class after the add deadline.

 

Course Outline (tentative)                                             Read

Date      Week                            Topics                                                                          Chapter(s)

 

24 Jan.    1    Introduction to Planet Earth, Scientific Method, Geologic Time                          1

31 Jan.    2    History of oceanography; Origins; Plate Tectonics  & the Ocean Floor                   1,2, App. III

 7 Feb.    3    Plate Tectonics; Test 1 (Ch. 1&2)                                                                   2

14 Feb.   4    Marine Provinces; Marine Sediments                                                               3,4

21 Feb.   5    Marine Sediments; Test 2 (Ch. 1-4); Water and Seawater                                     4,5

28 Feb.   6    Water and Seawater                                                                                      5, App. IV

 6 Mar.   7     Test 3(Ch 1-5), Air/sea Interaction                                                                  6

13 Mar.   8    Air/sea Interaction                                                                                        6

20 Mar.   9    Ocean Circulation; Test 4 (Ch 1-7); (e. c. presentation topics due)                      7

27 Mar.     SPRING BREAK—NO CLASS

3 Apr.    10   Waves and Water Dynamics                                                                             8

10 Apr.  11   Waves and Water Dynamics; Tides; Test 5 (Ch 1-9);                                            8,9

17 Apr.  12   The Coast—Beaches and Shoreline                                                                  10

17 Apr.          Article Review due

24 Apr.   13   The Coastal Ocean; Test 6 (Ch 1-11)                                                                10,11            

  1 May   14   Marine Life & the Marine Environment                                                            12

  8 May   15   Biol. Productivity and Energy Transfer; Test 7 (Ch 1-13); Animals of the Pelagic   13,14                 

 15 May  16   Animals of the Pelagic and Benthic Environments                                              14,15

 22 May  17   Comprehensive final                                                                                    1-15