GEOL 1345 INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY

Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)

Course Description:
An introduction to the world's oceans, emphasizing the geological, physical, biological, chemical, and ecological aspects of the marine environment. Core Curriculum Course.

Prerequisites
None

Course Goals (includes competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.)
You will work in groups (number and size of groups as well as time allotted for presentation is contingent on class size). Each group will be responsible for developing a presentation around an "Issue in Oceanography". You may use Power Point or transparencies. You may form a group around an issue, or you may "bond" with those sitting near you to form a group. Issues listed in the text following. The text web page has an exercise around each issue. You may use this to get started . Your group may choose from this list or develop you own issue.

Instructor Information
Numerous different instructors teach this course. 

Textbook Information
Introductory Oceanography, H.V. Thurman, E.A. Burton, 9th Edition, Prentice Hall. http://www.prenhall.com/thurmann

Lab Requirements (if any)
Lab exercises cover various topics in geological, physical, biological, chemical, and ecological aspects of oceanography.

Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the respective college at the beginning of each semester.  Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.  If you have any questions please contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165 or the Disability Counselor at each college.

Academic Honesty
Cheating on the written exams will result in failure in the course, and possibly in expulsion from the college. 

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies
Individual instructors will provide detailed information in their syllabi provided at the beginning of the course.  All applicable rules of HCCS will apply in this course. 

Course Requirements and Grading Policy
Individual instructors will provide detailed information in their syllabi provided at the beginning of the course.  All applicable rules of HCCS will apply in this course.

Testing
Individual instructors will provide detailed information in their syllabi provided at the beginning of the course. All applicable rules of HCCS will apply in this course.

Make-up policy
Individual instructors will provide detailed information in their syllabi provided at the beginning of the course. 

Projects, Assignments, Portfolios, Service Learning, Internships, etc.
An independent student project or field trip is normally required.

Course Content
Issues in Oceanography
Coastal Population Growth: A Global Ecosystem at Risk
Coral Rocks! The value of the Worlds Coral Reefs
Sharks
Global Warming and Sea Level Rise
Toxic Chemicals in Sea water
Greenhouse Gases, Global CO2, Emissions and Global Warming
Catch of the Day
Beaches or Bedrooms? The Dynamic Coastal Environment.
Human Impact of Estuaries
Bycatch: Dolphin-safe Tuna and Turtle-safe Shrimp
Illegal Immigration: Ballast Water and Exotic Species
Lifestyles of the Large and Blubbery: How to grow a blue whale.

Course Calendar with Reading Assignments
Student should expect a reading assignment each class day to be completed before class. Individual instructors will provide detailed information in their syllabi provided at the beginning of the course.

Other Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, etc.)