GS 108 General Science: Oceanography
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4
Surveys the four classic disciplines of the ocean sciences: geological oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and biological oceanography. Focuses on the basic principles of the ocean sciences and stress the interdisciplinary nature of oceanography.
Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate the special nature of the Earth as a “water” planet.
- Interpret the features of the ocean floor and margins and relate these structures to modern theories of crustal origin.
- Describe basic chemical oceanography in terms of the special properties of water.
- Analyze the motions of the sea currents, waves, and tides in terms of causes, and their influences and effects upon the land.
- Characterize and explain the adaptations of marine taxa.
- Assess the resources of the sea.
- Appraise the impacts of humans on the marine environment.
- Evaluate experiments or observations that have led Earth scientists to model the Earth as a planet sensitive to changes in the atmosphere, ocean, and interior.
Statewide General Education Outcomes:
- Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
- Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.
Content Outline
- Origins and the Science of Oceanography
- Development of ocean science
- Technology in ocean studies
- Extent and boundaries of global oceans, seas, and landmasses
- Origin of solar system, earth, oceans, life
- Hydrologic cycle
- Cartesian coordinate system for site location and navigation (latitude/longitude, nautical miles, degrees/minutes/seconds, hemispheres)
- Human’s relationship with the marine environment
- Geological Oceanography
- Earth’s interior structure
- Isostasy
- Plate Tectonics
- Volcanism and hot spots
- Paleomagnetism
- Passive vs. active margins
- Marine sediment
- Seafloor resources
- Shorelines
- Chemical Oceanography
- Structure and physical properties of water
- Salinity
- Water density
- Ocean pH
- Carbon cycle
- Residence times of dissolved seawater substances
- Physical Oceanography
- Atmospheric processes
- Heating of the ocean
- Seasons
- Coriolis effect
- Global wind and precipitation patterns
- Hurricanes and storm surge
- Ocean’s vertical structure and depth zones
- Light, pressure, and sound in the ocean
- Temperature-salinity relationships
- El Nino - Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
- Ocean currents
- Ice and ice ages
- Ekman transport
- Geostrophic flow
- Waves (formation, structure, celerity, interference)
- Tides
- Biological Oceanography
- Classification of life
- Marine habitats and lifestyles
- Life strategies and adaptations
- Marine mammals, seabirds, reptiles
- Controls on marine life in various environments (intertidal, muddy bottom, sandy bottom, salt marsh, seagrass, kelp forests, oyster reefs, coral reefs, mangrove, deep ocean, hydrothermal vents)
- Primary and secondary production
- Food webs
- Nutrient cycles
- Global Climate Change
- Ocean acidification
- Increased ocean temperatures
- Decreased gas solubility
- Storm intensity
- Diminished productivity
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