Oceanography

Sue Clement

Kent State University-Geauga Campus

Summary

This course will emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of oceanography by exposing the student to the basic principles of geological, chemical, physical and biological oceanography. Relationships among these systems and interrelationships between oceans and human populations will be emphasized.

Course Size:

15-30

Course Context:

This course is an introductory course for non-science majors as a general education credit who do NOT require a lab science credit. It has no prerequisites nor does it serve as one.

Course Goals:

Students should be able to do the following:

Describe theories for the formation of the ocean basins
Discuss the relationships between Plate Tectonics theory and sea floor features
Predict the behavior of ocean circulation to changes to seawater's chemical properties
Describe ocean circulation and movement of heat in the Earth's system
Discuss the relationship between the ocean and weather and climate
Describe how waves and tides form and their impact along coastlines
Discuss the characteristics of the worlds oceans as an ecosystem
Discuss the forms of life found in the oceans

How course activities and course structure help students achieve these goals:

During each class students are provided with a short lecture 20-30 minutes in length and then given a question to consider. It may be a photograph, map or other diagram. Student work in groups and present their answers. Reading quizzes are used to reinforce participation and 4 content exams are given during the semester. Finally, students are asked to research and present information about a topic they self select. This allows the student to delve deeper into a topic they have some interest in.