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ESCI 0015L - Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory

http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/esci-0015l/

Catalog Description DESCRIPTION IS HERE: Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ESCI 15 Hours: 54 laboratory Description: Exploration of the ocean environment, including physical, chemical and biological aspects. Learning through investigation and systematic laboratory procedures. (CSU, UC) Units 1 Lecture-Discussion Laboratory 54 By Arrangement Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours Course Student Learning Outcomes Characterize ocean basin morphology in terms of bathymetric maps and profiles and analyze features in the context of plate tectonics. Analyze modern and past marine sediment type and distribution. Characterize ocean water properties (salinity, temperature, density) and relate them to each other and to oceanic processes such as upwelling. Analyze water surface movement (waves, tides, currents) and its interaction with the coastline. Describe the distribution and characteristics of life in the ocean. Course Content Outline I. Geography of major oceans and Seafloor features (bathymetry) II. Plate Tectonics a. seafloor features at convergent boundaries (e.g. trenches) b. seafloor features at divergent boundaries (e.g. rift valleys) c. intraplate seafloor features (e.g. guyots) d. features at continental margins (e.g. canyons) III. Marine sediments IV. Seismic profiles V. Water density a. salinity b. temperature c. pressure VI. Surface ocean currents VII. Tides VIII. Waves a. wave characteristics b. effect of waves on the coastline IX. Hurricanes X. Marine life XI. Primary productivity XII. El Nino events XIII. Nutrient cycles XIV. Estuaries XV. Paleoceanography Course Objectives Course Objectives 1. Construct two-dimensional representations of the seafloor using isobaths based on soundings 2. analyze bathymetry on a map to identify and describe seafloor features 3. relate seafloor features to plate tectonic setting 4. compare and contrast stress types acting at plate boundaries 5. calculate plate movement rate 6. create bathymetric cross-sections (profiles) with and without vertical exaggeration 7. calculate vertical exaggeration from given profiles 8. compare and contrast the three main oceans in terms of size, average depth, latitudinal extent, and abundance of seafloor features (such as trenches) as they relate to Plate Tectonics 9. analyze the distribution of marine sediments in any given basin 10. relate marine sediment type to origin 11. classify marine sediments based on the relative abundance of their components 12. plot marine sediment components versus depth from core sample data 13. analyze plots of marine sediment components versus depth to determine depositional history in a given basin 14. calculate marine sedimentation rates from core samples 15. calculate water depth and thickness of sedimentary units from seismic profiles 16. explain the distribution of surface salinity in the world ocean based on maps and plots 17. plot water parameters with depth 18. contour water temperature data in a cross-sectional view of a basin 19. analyze isotherms to identify oceanographic processes such as upwelling 20. calculate seawater density based on salinity and temperature values 21. identify layered water masses in a cross-sectional view of an ocean basin 22. relate surface ocean currents to atmospheric movement 23. analyze tide records for different tide types 24. estimate minimum wind speeds and fetch required to set up a fully developed sea 25. determine wave height given fetch and speed 26. determine direction of longshore current from map views of coastlines 27. evaluate the effect of piers and breakwaters on natural erosion and depositional processes at a coastline 28. analyze a coastline to determine the safest bathing beach area(s) 29. plot hurricane paths and relate them to the atmospheric conditions present 30. compare and contrast hurricane sustained wind speed with atmospheric pressure 31. classify marine life based on the Hedgepeth zonal scheme 32. interpret plots of primary productivity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved nutrients, and respiration with depth, identifying the critical depth 33. calculate gross primary productivity from bottle samples at regular-interval depths 34. analyze sea surface buoy data to determine normal, El Nino, or la Nina conditions 35. establish trophic relationships within an ecosystem 36. predict changes in populations of an ecosystem with the introduction of a new component (e.g. a predator) 37. calculate salinity variations in estuaries due to tides 38. evaluate microfossil assemblages in core samples to determine age and paleoenvironment 39. correlate cores based on their microfossil assemblages 40. calculate sea surface temperatures based on microfossil morphology Methods of Evaluation Problem Solving Examinations Skill Demonstrations Reading Assignments 1. Read handout on marine sediments and apply information on classification. 2. Read handout on plate tectonics and work on boundary exercises. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Classify marine sediments based on the Ocean Drilling Project scheme. 2. Identify sedimentary layering from seismic profiles. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Methods of Instruction Laboratory Distance Learning Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.