GEL 16 - The Oceans - Spring 2008

Instructor: Dr. Luigi Jovane

jovane@geology.ucdavis.edu

Office: Physics/Geology Rm 380

Office Hours: Wed 10:30-12:00

Geology 16: Introductory survey of the marine environment. Oceanic physical phenomena, chemical constituents and chemistry of water, geological history, the seas biota and human utilization of marine resources.

Textbook: Oceanography, An invitation to Marine Sciences by Tom Garrison ISBN: 0-495-11286-0

Reading this text selectively to enhance your understanding of topics discussed in lecture will almost certainly improve your final grade. The textbook is well written and is very useful for the figures that it contains. You will find it a very important supplement to the lecture in the class.

Outlines of notes will NOT be posted on the class website. Figures and class topics will follow mainly the Textbook. Any material that is not included in the Textbook will be provided during the course.

Write your own notes during class, annotate them with details from the lectures, and study them for exams. Try to study the notes soon after the class period to help lock in the information and sharpen your understanding. The notes need to be supplemented by selectively reading the relevant pages in the book.

Class Structure:

Come to class - You'll spend much less time during the hour you spend listening to me and watching images than you will trying to teach the material to yourself from notes and the book. The students who come to class invariably get the best grades. This class should not be difficult - With just a moderate amount of time, energy, and concentration, you can earn an A or B and propel yourself on to fame, fortune, and a six-figure income.

I strongly encourage you to speak up in class - any question is legitimate and I'll take the time to answer it.

I’ll show a variety of video clips of varying length – you are responsible for the information and key points illustrated on the videos.

I would also strongly recommend putting in at least 1 hour of study time for every hour in the classroom. Reading your notes and the book during this hour will push you toward the front of the curve.

Exams and Grading:

Midterm - Tuesday, April 29 = 40 credits

Final - Saturday, June 7, 8:00-10:00 = 45 credits

Exams will be all multiple choice - be forewarned, I can make a tough multiple choice exam that will make you think, not just spew memorized notes.
There will be also a short answer written question.

15 credit:

- Quiz during the class/attendance (15 credits)
- Interaction in class, participation ( +/- .... credits)

Extra credit opportunity = Oral presentation (non peer-review paper- 2 credits / peer-review paper - 5 credits)

GEL 16: The Oceans - Spring 2008

We'll try to stay as close to this schedule as possible,
but be ready for evolving dates and topics (except for exams, of course).

Week of:	Lecture Topic:	Reading:
April 1	Introduction, Ocanography History	Ch.1
April 3	Origin, Geology	Ch. 2, 3
April 8	Oceans Basins	Ch. 4
April 10	Sediments	Ch. 5
April 15-17	Properties of Seawater	Ch. 6, 7
April 22	Carbon cycle & the Ocean	Ch. 13
April 24	Atmospheric circulation	Ch. 8
April 29	Midterm (50 minutes, bring Scantron 2000)
May 1	Movie
May 6-8	Ocean Circulation & Climate	Ch. 9
May 13-15	Waves and Tides	Ch. 10, 11
May 20-22	Biological Communities	Ch.14,15,16
May 27	Humans & the Ocean Environment	Ch. 12, 17
May 29 - June 3	Research in Oceanography
June 5	Ocean Conservation	Ch. 18
June 7	Final Exam - Saturday 8:00-10:00 (comprehensive) - bring Scantron 2000