Lower Columbia College
OCNG 140 Introduction To Oceanography
SYLLABUS - Winter 2004
Lecture: M-W-F 10:00 to 10:50 a.m., Lab: Tu-TH Noon to 1:50 p.m., Room: SCI 107
Instructor: David Cordero
Office: Science 105 - Office Phone: (360) 442-2883
Office Hours: Daily 11:00 - noon, and by appointment
E-mail: dcordero@lcc.ctc.edu
OCNG 140 Web Page:
http://lcc.ctc.edu/departments/natural_sciences/oceanography/ocng140.xtm
Instructional Aide: Mary Helen Miller
Office: Science 109 Office Phone: (360) 442-2880
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course emphasizes qualitative knowledge of the principles and processes governing the ocean and its interactions with the surrounding physical and biological environment. Covers topics from geological, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography, including origin and evolution of the ocean basins, plate tectonics, types of seafloor sediments, properties of sea water, causes and effects of currents, waves, and tides, life of the marine environment, and humans' effect upon the global marine systems. Options: include taking lecture and laboratory (5 credits) or lecture only (3 credits). Laboratory exercises emphasize problem solving and data analysis and interpretation leading to a working knowledge of oceanographic processes.
(OCNG 140 is offered both winter and spring terms.)
CREDITS:
There is an option to take this course for:
5 credits: Lecture (3 hours per week) and Lab (4 hours per week) or
3 credits: Lecture only (3 hours per week), no lab credit
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
Textbook: Essentals of Oceanography, 7th edition, Thurman & Trujillo
Laboratory Manual: Laboratory Exercises in Oceanography, 3rd edition, Pipkin & Others, (for lab credit)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The intent of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive picture of the world ocean, and of the oceanographic sciences (chemistry, physics, geology, meteorology, and biology,) that collaborate to expand our knowledge of the ocean and its interactions with the other major components (atmosphere, biosphere, and solid earth) of the global Earth system. At the same time, students should develop a better understanding of how science and technology are important to us and to the ways in which we perceive and interact with our planetary environment. Students should leave this class with an understanding of the scientific method and how its use has led to our present knowledge of the ocean.
GRADING
Your final grade for the term will be based on the following approximations:
| ITEM |
POINTS |
NUMBER |
SUB-TOTAL |
% |
| EXAM 1 |
200 |
1 |
200 |
- |
| EXAM 2 |
250 |
1 |
250 |
- |
| FINAL EXAM |
350 |
1 |
350 |
- |
| QUIZZES |
20 |
8 |
160 |
- |
| INTERNET |
25 |
4 |
100 |
- |
| other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
| Lecture TOTAL: |
|
|
1060 |
90 |
| ITEM |
POINTS |
NUMBER |
SUB-TOTAL |
% |
| LABS |
6 |
20 |
120 |
10 |
| LAB EXAMS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
| LECTURE & LAB |
TOTAL: |
|
1180 |
100 |
Note: In order to earn a term grade of A, B, or C you must have scored at least that high on one of your midterm exams, final exam, or quiz average.
I use the following GRADING SCALE:
| A- 90% to 92% |
A 93% or greater |
*** |
| B- 80% to 82% |
B 83% to 86% |
B+ 87% to 89% |
| C- 70% to 72% |
C 73% to 76% |
C+ 77% to 79% |
| D- 60% to 62% |
D 63% to 66% |
D+ 67% to 69% |
| *** |
F less than 60% |
*** |
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit is not intended to give you points in lieu of doing the normal work expected of you. It is meant to be additional work that will supplement the material you have been assigned and hopefully increase your comprehension and enjoyment of oceanography. You may not earn extra credit if you fail to adequately complete your regular work. You may earn extra credit up to a maximum of 60 points (~5% of total lecture points).
Extra credit may be earned by using the services of the Tutoring Center if your scores indicate you might benefit from this.
Extra credit is DUE by Friday of the 9th week of the term.
See LCC Web Page at the following url for more information and some extra credit ideas.
http://lcc.ctc.edu/departments/natural_sciences/earth_sciences/xtracr.xtm
LABORATORY WORK (for students taking 5 credits, lab represents about 10% of your grade)
Make sure you understand all concepts covered in lab. Completing a lab is not as important as understanding the material covered. Points are assigned for diligence, not rapidity. Ask questions and ask for assistance as needed.
Most laboratory assignments should be completed during the scheduled laboratory time and are due at the end of each lab meeting unless otherwise indicated. Incomplete or late lab assignments will not earn full credit. Labs that are more than three weeks beyond the due date will not be accepted. Late assignments of any kind will NOT be accepted after the end of the 10th week! Lab exams may be scheduled and can involve computations, graphing, sample identification, interpretation of tables, graphs, charts, maps, drawings, and photographs. Be sure to promptly pick up your returned lab assignments from the return box.