GEOL 365
Earth's Ocean and Climate Systems
Catalog Entry
GEOL 365. Oceanography
Three hours lecture; two hours laboratory (4).
Prerequisites: Seven hours of any of the following natural sciences: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Meteorology, Physical Science Processes, or Physics
Introduction to the physical, chemical, geological, meteorological and biological processes in the marine environment and their interaction. Includes analysis of current environmental issues such as global climate and sea level changes, extreme weather phenomenon, mineral and energy resources from the sea, marine pollution, and law of the sea.
Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. Student may not receive credit if previously taken GEOL 361 and GEOL 362.
Detailed Description of Course
a. Content
Lecture Outline
1. Introduction
- What is Oceanography?
- History of Oceanography
- Modern Oceanography and Global Climate Change: Trends and Careers
2. Earth: The Water Planet
- Origin of Earth, Atmosphere, and Oceans
- Earth's Basic Features: Size, Shape, Water Cycle, Distribution of Land and Seas
3. Plate Tectonics
- Earth's Structure and Isostasy
- Geophysics of the Seafloor
- Principles of Plate Tectonics
4. Characteristics of the Seafloor
- Continents vs. Ocean Basins
- Continental Margins
- Deep Seafloor
- Ridges, Rises, and Trenches
5. Marine Sediments
- Types of Sediments: Lithogenous, Biogenous, Hydrogenous, Cosmogenous
- Patterns of Deposition
- Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology
- CO2 concentrations over geologic time
6. Oceanographic Techniques
- Measuring the Depths
- Collecting Seafloor Samples
- Measuring Water Chemistry
- Seismic Analysis
7. Weather and Climate
- Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere
- Temperature, Heat transfer and Energy Budget
- Air masses and Fronts
- Atmospheric stability, Cloud development and Precipitation types
8. Extreme Weather
- Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Hurricanes
- Impact of anthropogenic activities
- Flooding and Drought
- Climate Change Models
9. Structure of the Oceans
- Heating and Cooling of Earth's Surface
- Density Structure and Vertical Circulation
- Upwelling and Downwelling
- The Layered Oceans
10. Atmosphere and Circulation of the Oceans
- Atmospheric Circulation
- Coriolis Effect and Wind Bands
- Major Surface Currents in the World's Oceans
- Polar ice and coupled deep-ocean circulation
11. Waves
- Physics of Wave Motion
- Deep- and Shallow-water Waves
- Tsunamis and Other Types of Waves
12. Tides
- Tide-generating Forces
- Equilibrium and Dynamic Theories of Tides
- Tidal Currents and Renewable Energy
13. Shoreline Geology
- Types of Coasts
- Beaches
- Bays, Estuaries, and Deltas
- Sea-level rise and Coastal Erosion
14. Marine Biology
- Plankton: The Floaters
- Nekton: The Swimmers
- Benthos: The Bottom-dwellers
- Ocean warming, Acidification and Impact on Marine Organisms
15. Resources and Laws of the Oceans
- Mineral Resources
- Energy Resources
- Biological Resources
16. Marine Pollution
- Domestic, Industrial, and Agricultural Pollution
- Oil in the Marine Environment
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch!
- Plastic and Microbeads
17. Climate, the Ocean, and Global Change
- Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
- The Ozone Problem
- Sea Level Changes: Eustatic and Tectonic
- Ancient versus Modern Global Climate Change
- Albedo, Feedback cycles, Thawing Permafrost and Methane: Impacts on Global Warming
Laboratory Activities
1. Bathymetry – the Shape of the Sea Floor
2. Sea-floor spreading and Plate Tectonics
3. Geography of the Oceans
4. Materials of the Sea Floor
5. Temperature and Salinity
6. Surface Currents
7. Air Masses, Mixing and Fronts
8. Waves in Shallow Water and Beach Erosion
9. Tides
10. Estuaries
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following instructional strategies will be utilized: (1) lecture by professor with classroom discussions in groups; (2) laboratory activities involving team-work to complete exercises on topics supplemental to the material presented in lecture; and (3) use of online instructional resources including videos and 3D models. Occasionally, an extra reading assignment beyond the required textbook and workbook will be required involving a journal article on an especially new or relevant topic.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed the course, the student will:
1. demonstrate knowledge of the origin and uniqueness of Earth's oceans and their connections with global climate change.
2. be able to apply their knowledge of the principal techniques used to study the oceans, atmosphere and global climate change through geologic time.
3. demonstrate a deeper understanding of the basic biological, chemical, meteorological, geological, and physical processes operating in the marine environment and how they interact.
4. demonstrate knowledge of the crucial environmental and legal issues arising from human interaction with the oceans, including diminishing polar ice and rising sea level, management and development of shorelines, extraction of mineral, biological, and energy resources from the sea, and marine pollution.
5. be able to apply their knowledge of a systems analysis approach to study the linkages between Earth's hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
Assessment Measures.
1. Lecture written examinations and quizzes
2. Laboratory workbook activities and examinations
3. In-class participation, team-work and group discussions
Other Course Information
1. GEOL 365 is a required course for the Earth Sciences Concentration (Teaching Licensure) for a B.S. degree in geology.
Approval and Subsequent Reviews
Date Action Reviewed by
August 2005 Reviewed and updated Stephen W. Lenhart, Chair
March 01, 2021