Oceanography 100

Palomar College

 

Instructor:      Jessica Lundquist

                        jessica@coast.ucsd.edu

                        (858) 534-1504 (office phone)

 

Class Meetings:         Mondays, 6:30-9:20 pm

                                    Mount Carmel High School

Office Hours:              I will be available to answer questions immediately after class and generally half an hour before class.  Outside of class, the best way to contact me is via e-mail.

 

Course Objective:

As a survey course, Oceanography 100 provides a foundation in science by examining the basic geological, chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the world's oceans. This course is an interdisciplinary course and therefore covers a wide variety of subject matter. Because of the diversity of the subject matter, it is not possible to cover all areas with equal emphasis or in a comprehensive manner. Students successfully completing this course will have a basic understanding of the dynamic nature of the world's oceans and an appreciation of the delicate balance that exists between the oceanic system and humans.

 

Textbook:

Required Text: Essentials of Oceanography, Thurman & Trujillo, 7th Ed (2002)

The required textbook for this course is an excellent resource but should not be used as a substitute for class attendance. Detailed reading assignments outlining the topics to be covered in each class meeting will be distributed or announced in advance of the lectures. It is highly recommended that textbook readings be completed prior to discussing the topic in class.

Recommended Texts: Geography Coloring Book, 2nd Edition, Kapit and Wynn (1999)

                        The New Comparative World Atlas, Hammond (2000)

These texts will increase your familiarity about the places discussed in class.

 

Grading:

Your grade will be determined from the following:

Participation (including attendance, group work, projects) 10%

Weekly Quizzes (lowest score dropped)                                      50%

Project/Presentation                                                                  20%

Cumulative Final                                                                        20%

 

Late assignments may be turned in the following Monday for half credit.  No late assignments beyond this point will be allowed, except in the case of an emergency. No make-up exams or quizzes will be allowed, except in the case of an emergency.  However, since your lowest quiz score is dropped, you may miss one quiz.

At the end of the course, all points will be added and compared to the total points possible on a percentage basis. Grades will be based on the following scale: 90% = A, 80% = B, 65% = C, 55 % = D, below 55 % = F. Based on the class average, I may lower this scale, but I will not raise it.

 

Quiz Format:

Quizzes will cover the prior week’s lecture and reading assignments.  Each quiz will consist of a mixture of multiple choice and open-ended questions, and some questions will be given out ahead of time.  The quiz will be given during the last 25 minutes of each class session. You lowest quiz score will be dropped.

 

General Course Outline:

Date    Topic                                                                           Reading

1/28      Introduction, about water, scientific method                     Ch 1

2/4        Energy from the earth, plate tectonics, Quiz 1                  Ch 2

2/11      Marine provinces (more geology), Quiz 2                        Ch 3

2/18      Holiday!

2/25      Water (chemistry and structure), Quiz 3                          Ch 5

3/4        Intro to weather, Coriolis, Quiz 4                                    Ch 6

3/11      Air-sea interaction, Climate change, Quiz 5                     Ch 6

3/18      Ocean circulation, Quiz 6                                               Ch 7

3/25      Holiday!

4/1        Waves, Quiz 7                                                               Ch 8

4/8        Tides, Quiz 8                                                                 Ch 9

4/15      Coast: beaches and shoreline processes, Quiz 9               Ch 10

4/22      Coastal Ocean, Quiz 10                                                 Ch 11

4/29      Biological Productivity/Energy Transfer, Quiz 11 Ch 13

5/6        Pelagic and Benthic Animals, Quiz 12                             Ch 14 & 15

5/13      Poster Project due: presentations, catch up and review for final

5/20      Final Exam     

 

Other Important Dates:

2/1                    Last day to drop class and qualify for a refund

2/22                  Last day to drop with no notation on your record

3/16                  Deadline to change grading status

3/15                  Last day to drop class with a “W” grade on your record

 

Expected Work Load:

This is a 3-unit course transferable to a CSU or UC school and therefore the expectations for learning are the same as those at a CSU or UC school. As in most any entry-level course, you will essentially be expected to learn a whole new vocabulary centered on the scientific description of the oceans and its processes. Traditionally, students are expected to spend at least 3 hours studying for each hour of in-class time

 

Academic Integrity:

Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated in this class. A first offense will result in a zero grade for the work in question. A repeat offense will result in a failing grade for the course.

 

Adding this Course:

Only students who are officially registers 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 PAR system to add, please notify the instructor immediately.  The deadline for adding any class or using a permission code to add is February 1, 2002.