OCEA& 101 - Intro to Oceanography

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 44
Lab Hours: 22
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: A survey of the extent and nature of the oceans including the contributions of the solid Earth, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere to their physical structure, chemical composition, and functioning. Field trips may be required. Lab included.

Prerequisite: ENGL 099 with a grade of C or higher (or placement into college-level English); and either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of C or higher.
Distribution Requirements:

Natural Sciences Distribution Requirement

Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Appreciate the importance of the oceans in determining the global enviroment.
Understand the dynamic nature of the oceans.
Be familiar with the ecology of the various zones of the ocean.
Appreciate the global citizenship of each individual on an Earth whose continents are joined by a single ocean.
Become comfortable with different learning styles by group activities in the classroom and on field trips.
PROGRAM OUTCOME: Understand ocean responses to climate change.
PROGRAM OUTCOME: Understand changes in the sea mammal communities in the Salish Sea.

Course Contents

Introduction
History of Oceanography
Ocean basins
Plate tectonics
Origins of sea water
Chemistry of sea water
Waves, tides
Shorelines
Ecology of the oceanic zones
Ocean resources

Instructional Units: 5.5