| 11/15/2025 8:42:42 PM |
| New Course (First Version) |
| CATALOG INFORMATION
|
| Discipline and Nbr:
GEOL 2 | Title:
OCEANOGRAPHY |
|
| Full Title:
Introduction to Oceanography |
| Last Reviewed:3/11/2024 |
| Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
| Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
| Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 6 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| | Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| | Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
| |
| | Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| | Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Applicable
Grading:
Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
Catalog Description:
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In this course, students will be introduced to the major geological, physical, chemical, and biological features and processes of the Earth's oceans. Topics will include the chemistry of ocean water, wave patterns, currents and tides, seafloor geology and bathymetry, and marine biology.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or EMLS 10 (formerly ESL10) or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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In this course, students will be introduced to the major geological, physical, chemical, and biological features and processes of the Earth's oceans. Topics will include the chemistry of ocean water, wave patterns, currents and tides, seafloor geology and bathymetry, and marine biology.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or EMLS 10 (formerly ESL10) or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
| Associate Degree: | Effective: | Fall 2025
| Inactive: | |
| Area: | L5
| Physical and Biological Sciences
|
| |
| CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| |
| IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| |
| CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 2025 | Inactive: | |
| |
| UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 2025 | Inactive: | |
| |
| C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Not Certificate/Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Critically analyze scientific arguments regarding the significance of oceans.
2. Identify, describe, and interpret seafloor features and landforms.
3. Explain the interdisciplinary nature of oceanography.
4. Evaluate the interaction between humans and the ocean.
Objectives:
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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define the nature of oceanography as a science.
2. Describe how all branches (geological, biological, physical, and chemical) of oceanography are connected.
3. Using scientific logic and examples, explain how the Earth would be different if its oceans did not exist.
4. Describe the role plate tectonics plays in the formation of seafloor landforms (bathymetry).
5. Differentiate the major surface and deep currents in the oceans and explain their causes.
6. Explain how physical and chemical factors in the ocean affect the climate in the past, present, and future.
7. Describe the role and importance of marine ecology and ocean ecosystems.
Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction to Oceanography and Scientific Methodology
II. Plate Tectonics
A. Plate tectonic theory
B. Three main boundaries
III. Marine and Coastal Geology
A. Bathymetry
B. Oceanic sediments
IV. Seawater Properties and Chemistry
A. Measuring salinity
B. Carbonated oceans
C. Redfield ratios
D. Oceanic noise
V. Ocean Circulation
A. Thermohaline circulation
B. Surface currents
C. Ocean mixing
D. El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
VI. Waves
A. Wave basics
B. Rip currents
VII. Tides
A. Causes
B. Patterns
VIII. Marine Ecology
A. Productivity and plankton
B. Marine resources and pollution
Assignments:
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1. Weekly readings (20-30 pages)
2. Homework assignments (5-20), such as:
A. Research papers
B. Essays
C. Written and problem-solving exercises
D. Online activities
3. Quizzes (5-20)
4. Exam(s) (0-5)
5. Class participation, such as:
A. Class activities
B. Discussions
C. Group work
D. Attendance
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
| Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing
10 - 40% |
| Homework assignments | |
| Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving
10 - 40% |
| Homework assignments | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0% |
| None | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
10 - 50% |
| Quizzes; exam(s) | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
0 - 20% |
| Class participation | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Invitation to Oceanography. 8th ed. Pinet, Paul. Jones & Bartlett Learning. 2021.
Essentials of Oceanography. 13th ed. Trujillo, Allen and Thurman, Harold. Pearson. 2020.
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