"Rocks are fine, but where's the tuna?"
GEL/ESP 150B:
Geological Oceanography
Instructor: Jim McClain
Winter, 2008
MWF Lecture 11-12
Room 195 Physics/Geology
Office: 392A Geology/Physics Building
Phone: 752-7093
email: mcclain@geology.ucdavis.edu
Office hours: M 12-1, W 2:30-4:00
During the course we will focus on four scientific themes. They are:
1. What are these entities we call the oceanic crust and lithosphere?
2. What are the processes that influence the formation of the crust and lithoshpere?
3. How is the earth attempting to "fill in" the ocean basins?
4. How do oceanic processes influence the thermal and chemical budgets of the Earth and oceans?
Text???
There is no required text for this class. However, you may want avail yourself of texts on reserve. They may provide an alternative view of the material in the class. These include:
James Kennett, Marine Geology.
In addition, I expect that each of you will avail yourself of the resources available through the following site.
Geomap download,
You will find this an amazing interactive (java-based) system where you can look at bathymetry, and topography, from all over the world. You will have to rely on th is for some of the problems, and perhaps portions of the midterm and final.
Grading:
Grading will be done on a curve, with a peak at about B/B-. Your grade will comprise the following.
Take-home laboratories and problems.............................................35%
There will be approximately five of these.
These will comprise required readings of up-to-date research papers using data sets available here. You will be asked questions from these papers. The questions will be based on understanding the techniques described and used in the paper, as well as the results. The papers will be selected from those publicly available on the web.
Midterm exam, February 15. ..................................................................................................30%
I reserve the right to ask you to review a paper in advance and come to class prepared to discuss that paper. I will schedule a review session for Thursday (February 14) 6-8. The price of admission is a written question (on a piece of scratch paper is fine).
Final exam (Scheduled, Friday, March 21, at 8:00 A.M. )................................35%
Under normal circumstances, assignment due dates and exams dates are not negotiable. For certain University-sanctioned events or personal emergencies ( and not ski trips, family vacations, or trips to visit the future in-laws, etc.), you may be able to reschedule. You must document the need.
OK, you did problem set 1. Guess what.....Problem set 2
Problem Set 2 instructions
Due Friday February 8, 2008
Ta dahhhhhh! Exercise 3
Exercise 3 instructions.
Due Friday, February 29
Here are some comments about the midterm on Feb. 15.
At the very least, read this article, .
Problem Set 4! Yes it is working this time, and due on Monday, March 17.
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