EAS 4300: Introduction to Oceanography Fall 2017 MWF 11:15 12:05 MoSE 1224

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1 Instructor: Prof. Jean Lynch-Stieglitz ES&T Office hours by appointment Course web-site: t-square EAS 4300: Introduction to Oceanography Fall 2017 MWF 11:15 12:05 MoSE 1224 Required Textbook: Introductory Oceanography by Thurman and Trujillo, 10 th Edition Additional required readings will be assigned for sections that are not well covered by the textbook Course philosophy and goals: This course is an introduction to the ocean sciences, with particular focus on the role of the ocean in the geological, biological, chemical, physical, climatic, and human aspects of the Earth system. The class will cover the following topics: the origin of the ocean basins, marine sedimentation, properties of seawater, ocean circulation, aspects of marine ecology and biological productivity. We will also cover some interdisciplinary aspects of oceanography such as El Nino, Global Warming, The Carbon Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrothermal Vents and Oceanography from Space. Topics may vary from year to year. Learning goals include: (1) Gain a knowledge and understanding of how the ocean works as a system; (2) Learn to apply basic physical, chemical and ecological principles to Earth system problems; (2) Improve ability to reason qualitatively and quantitatively about Earth s natural systems; There are NO previous course requirements. However the students are expected to be familiar with basic scientific approaches, concepts and methods as well as the fundamental principles of biology, chemistry and physics on a high school level. Simple quantitative skills in homework and on exams are required. You are expected to be able to read, interpret and construct graphs and maps. The course will be administered through t-square. Reading: The textbook will provide a broad descriptive background of the topics covered. It is essential, therefore, that you do the reading, preferably before the material is covered in class. Approximately 30% your exam questions will be taken or modified from the Questions and Exercises at the end of each chapter. I strongly recommend that you do these exercises after you read the Chapter, and this will provide an effective study guide for the exam. Lectures and in-class activities: The lectures and activities will provide more in-depth coverage of topics introduced in the textbook, or coverage at a more rigorous level. Copies of the slides which illustrate the lecture will be provided on t-square after each class. However, the students are responsible for taking notes on the lecture itself (the words that are spoken while the slides are projected). Homework: There will be weekly homework assignments during the semester. The homework will be assigned on Wednesday and due the following Wednesday. No late homework will be accepted without prior arrangements. It's great to collaborate on homework with friends, but material turned in must be your own thoughts and in your own words. Please write the names of any collaborators on your homework. 1

2 Exams: There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam. Exams will emphasize a general understanding of the topic, rather than the ability to memorize details. Exams will cover material from lectures and required readings. Grading: 20% Homework, 20% Class Participation and Activities, 60% Exams (20% each). No student will receive a passing grade for the course if they miss six or more classes without an official excused absence. Homework: A = All homework completed, with mostly correct answers and showing good effort B = All homework completed, with partially correct answers and showing good effort C = Majority of homework completed with partially correct answers and good effort, or all homework completed showing some effort D/F = Did not complete most homework Class Participation and Activities: A = attends class regularly, with only occasional excused absences, asks and answers questions in class, shows good effort and excellent understanding on in class assignments B = attends class regularly, participates with questions/answers in lecture when prompted by instructor, shows good effort and understanding on in class assignments C = attends most classes, shows effort on in class activities and exercises D/F = poor attendance, poor effort Exams: A = Able to explain material from class and readings at a high level able to apply skills to material not covered in class B = Able to explain material from class and readings at a moderate level and sometimes able to apply skills to material not covered in class C = Able to explain some material from class and readings and sometimes able to apply skills to material not covered in class D/F = Student not absorbing class material Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Georgia Tech Honor Code. In order to enhance learning and create a fair environment for all students, use of homework/classwork/exam material from prior courses is forbidden unless supplied by the instructor. Classroom Expectations: Class will start promptly at 11:15. Late arrival is disruptive to the lecture and to your fellow students. Questions from students during lectures are encouraged. If you are confused, likely someone else is as well. All viewpoints, presented respectfully, are valued in class discussion. 2

3 Schedule: (subject to change) 1. Introduction and overview August 20): Week 1 (8/21): Introduction to Oceanography (No class enjoy the eclipse!) 22): Observing the Ocean Origin and Cycling of Water and Salt Reading: Ch 1,2 August 27): Week 2 (8/28): Activity: Residence time of salts Reading: Ch 6 (p ) 2. Marine geology and geophysicsaugust 29): Plate Tectonics and the origin of ocean basins Activity: Bathymetry from space Reading: Ch. 3,4 Week 3 (9/4): Sea Level Beaches and Shorelines Reading: Ch 11 Week 4 (9/11): Marine sediments Part 1 Marine sediments Part 2 (Tropical Storm Irma) Activity: Exploring multi-beam data Reading: Ch 5 Week 5: (9/18) Introduction to Paleoceanography Exam Review 3

4 EXAM 1: Friday September Physical oceanography and climate dynamics Week 6 (9/25): Atmospheric Circulation Ocean-Atmosphere heat and freshwater transfer Activity: Ocean-Atmosphere Fluxes Reading: Ch 6 (p ), Ch 7 Week 7 (10/2): Ocean Circulation 1 Ocean Circulation 2 Activity: Surface Drifters Reading: Ch 8 (p ), Talley Ch 7 ( ) Week 8 (10/9): Equatorial Circulation, El Niño and Indian Moonsoon Physical Properties of seawater Reading: Ch 8 (p ), Chapter 6 (p , p ) Week 9 (10/16): The Meridional Overturning Circulation Waves Activity: Tides and Tsunamis Reading: Chapter 8 (p ), 9,10 Week 10 (10/23): Exam Review EXAM 2: Wednesday Oct Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles 4

5 Ocean Productivity Week 11 (10/30): Deep Water Nutrients Gasses and Oxygen Activity: Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Reading: Ch 14, Sigman and Hain Week 12 (11/6): Carbon Anthropogenic Carbon in the Sea Global Warming Reading: Ch 6 (p ), Ch 7 (p ), Barker and Ridgewell 5. Biological oceanography Week 13 (11/13): Marine Habitats and Organisms Marine Ecology and Fisheries Activity: Fisheries Part 1 Reading: Ch 13, 17 Week 14 (11/20): Polar Ocean Ecosystems Week 15 (11/27): Coral Reef Ecosystems North Atlantic Temperate Ecosystems Activity: Fisheries Part 2 5

6 Reading: Ch 16 Week 16 (12/4): Review and Final preparation Final Exam Friday Dec :50 am (note later start time) 6