Oceanography 2 Introductory Oceanography

Monterey Peninsula College Spring 2009

Instructor: Alfred (Fred) Hochstaedter

PS 108, 646-4149

ahochstaedter@mpc.edu

Text: Essentials of Oceanography by Thurman and Trujillo

Lab notes to be handed out in class

Class Times: MW 6-8:30

Office Hours: MW 5-6 and 8:30-9, or drop in; I’m here most of the time

Transfers: UC and CSU as a Physical Science Lab class

Web site: http://www.mpcfaculty.net/alfred_hochstaedter/Oceanography.htm

(note the underline “_” between “alfred” and “hochstaedter”)

Goals

This class introduces the subject of Oceanography. It will emphasize the geologic and physical processes that operate in the ocean setting and begin to explain how they influence or control marine ecosystems. The class will teach global themes using local examples. This is a rigorous class designed to transfer to other universities. It is appropriate for those seeking to satisfy their general education physical science

requirements either as well as those wishing to pursue additional Earth or Marine Science classes for which Oceanography is a prerequisite.

Oceanography Student Leaning Outcomes

These are broad, over-arching statements that describe what students are expected to be able to do as they exit this class.

Ø Recognize major seafloor features based on their shape and interpret their origin using plate tectonic theory.

Ø Analyze how oceanic processes contribute to the Earth’s systems from geological, chemical, biological, and physical perspectives.

Ø Use the scientific method to explain the phenomena we observe in the natural world.

Labs and Field Trips

Labs and field trips are where the real learning in this class takes place. Science is something one does, not a collection of facts that one memorizes. Non-participation in labs and/or field trips can cause failure in the class. The field trips are required to bring the total lab time up to the state regulated three hours per week so that this class can transfer to UC and CSU as a laboratory physical science class. Please note the field trip schedule and arrange your personal or work schedule now. On tests, you may encounter all topics discussed during labs and field trips.

Can’t go on a field trip? If you establish a reasonable excuse in advance of the scheduled land-based weekend field trip, I will be amenable and assign the following make-up assignment: On your own time, follow the field trip guide (to be handed out), and describe, in writing, what you see at each stop. Take photographs of your smiling face at each field-trip stop standing in front of the rocks, beach, overlook, or other subject of interest. Turn in your photographs with written descriptions as captions by an agreed upon deadline.

Please be forewarned that this makeup option is a poor substitute for participating in the actual field trip with the instructor. You will still be responsible on tests for all material covered or discussed during the regular class field trip. If you do not turn in this make-up assignment by an agreed upon deadline, you will fail the class.

Tests

Tests will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. Material will be taken from both lecture and lab. Please note that students often say the tests are challenging, yet fair. I expect you to learn the material well enough so that you can apply it to new situations during tests. To promote your efforts to learn and be able to use the material rather than just memorize it, I allow notes on one side of one 8.5X11 inch piece of paper during all exams.

Please contact me if you need to miss an exam. If you do contact me, we can schedule a makeup. If you do not contact me, and just fail to show up for the test, I’ll give you a makeup the next time I see you or at a time at my discretion. Calling or e-mailing an instructor before you miss a class is merely a courteous effort you should practice in all of your classes.

Classroom Rules and Expectations

This classroom operates on a system of mutual respect. You receive respect from me by my offering an organized, stimulating, and challenging course; one in which I hope all of you heighten your appreciation of how the Earth/Ocean system works.

I expect you to show me and your fellow students respect in the following ways:

Ø Arrive to class on time; entering the classroom late and finding a seat is disruptive and disrespectful.

Ø Don’t talk during lecture unless contributing to the discussion; it distracts me and others, and detracts from the quality of the presentation.

Ø No cell phones, beepers, buzzers, video games or other electronic devices in class.

Ø No food or drinks in lab when we work with maps; one spill could ruin a map.

Ø No talking, whispering, or distracting noises during lecture.

Ø Call the instructor ahead of time if you can’t make a field trip, test day, or deadline; it’s just common courtesy.

Ø Don’t cheat or plagiarize on exams or assignments. Punishment for cheating or plagiarism may include one or all of the following: a zero on the pertinent test or assignment, failing the class, a letter and/or meeting with the Dean of Student Services.

Ø Plagiarism is the un-credited use of another person’s writing, images, or ideas. It’s like stealing an idea. Plagiarism is copying material from books or web sites, inserting it into your work and calling it your own. You wouldn’t want somebody else taking one of your good ideas and using it as their own, would you?

Ø -Plagiarism and cheating are dealt with in accordance with MPC’s policies on student’s rights and responsibilities:

http://www.mpc.edu/studentservices/Pages/StudentRightsandResponsibilities.aspx

Attendance

Attendance is required. Three consecutive unexcused absences is cause for dropping the student from the class. Absences are excused by contacting the instructor before the class when the absence will take place. Contact may be made by phone, e-mail (best), or in person. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. It is the right, but not the responsibility, of the instructor to drop students after three unexcused absences. If you decide to drop the class, please go to the student services office and drop the class. DO NOT assume the instructor will do it for you. Drop the class yourself to avoid getting an F in the class.

Schedule (subject to change)

Wk	Dates	Lecture Topic, Reading assignment	Main lab activity		Tests and Quizzes
1	Feb 2-4	Introduction Ch 1	Intro to maps
2	Feb 9-11	Plate Tectonics Ch 2	Nautical charts and navigation
3	Feb 18	Plate Margins Ch 2, 3	Plate tectonics and bathymetry of the sea floor
4	Feb 23-25	Features of the Seafloor Ch 3	Bathymetric charts and Navigation
5	Mar 2-4	Marine sediments Ch 4	Maps and charts review		Wednesday Test 1 150 pts
6	Mar 9-11	Marine sediments Ch 4	Marine Sediments
Saturday March 14 , Tour of the Central CA Coast (by Bus) 8:30 am – 4 pm
7	Mar 16-18	Ocean history and climate change	Beach Profiles		Wednesday Lab Quiz 100 pts
8	Mar 23-25	Fisheries and Conservation Ch 12, 13	Monterey Bay Aquarium Field Trip? – live or internet
9	Mar 30-Apr 1	Properties of Seawater Ch 5	Marine Protected Areas		Wednesday Test 2 125 pts
April 6-10, Spring Break – Woo Hoo!
10	Apr 13-15	Winds, weather, and storms Ch 6	Water density
11	Apr 20-22	Atmosphere-Ocean Connection Ch 6	Global Ocean Water Masses
12	Apr 27-29	Ocean Circulation I Ch 7	Atmospheric Circulation
Sat May 2 : Monterey Bay Cruise: 7:00 am – 12 noon
13	May 4-6	Ocean Circulation II Ch 7	Ocean Circulation
14	May 11-13	Waves and tides Ch 8, 9	Catch-up	Wednesday Test 3 150 pts
15	May 18-20	Coasts Ch 10, 11	Work on projects
16	May 25-27	Catch-up and Review	Project presentation
Final Exam* Monday June 1, 6 pm 150 pts

*The final is cumulative; it covers all the material in the class.

Grading
Labs: 225 points Test 1: 150 points Test 2: 125 points Test 3: 125 points Lab Quiz 100 points Project: 125 points Final (Lab & Lecture): 150 points 1000 points	A = 850-1000 points B = 700-849 points Class average is usually in the low B range C= 600 -699 points D = 550-599 points F < 550 points The final is cumulative; it covers the entire course, lab and lecture.

Things you must do to pass the class.

1) Accumulate at least 550 points.

2) Attend the Weekend field trips; you will not pass if you don’t go.

3) Obtain at least 55% average on the three tests and the final.

The Project

The project involves researching an aspect of ocean science of your choice and explaining the results to your peers in the form of a poster and oral presentation. Whatever your chosen topic, you must explain how processes within at least two of the major disciplines of oceanography (marine geology processes, physical oceanography processes, or marine biology processes) influence your topic of interest. The idea is to integrate some of the major themes we’ve discussed in class. More details later.

Good Luck! I hope you enjoy your further explorations of the World Ocean and the mysteries it may reveal.

-Important Dates:

February 13: Last day to drop classes and get your money back

February 20: Last day to request a Credit/No Credit grade option

February 20: Last day to withdraw without a “W”

May 6: Last day to withdraw and receive a “W”