I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Group XI Natural Science
Dept/Program
Geoscience
Course #
Course Title
Prerequisite
Credits
105
Oceanography
none
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Nancy W. Hinman
5277
nancy.hinman@umontana.edu
Program Chair
William W. Woessner
Dean
Gerald Fetz
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Instructor
Phone / Email
This course focuses on the properties of the ocean; the processes that shape the physical,
chemical, and biological environment of the ocean; the interactions of the ocean with other
environments; and the type, use, and vulnerability of ocean resources. The purpose of the course
is to inform students about the intricate interrelationships of the natural world and to raise their
awareness of the vulnerability and use of ocean resources in global and societal contexts.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
The oceans are used as a means of presenting
1. Courses explore a discipline in the natural
fundamental physical, chemical, geological,
sciences and demonstrate how the scientific
and biological processes that shape natural
method is used within the discipline to draw
scientific conclusions.
systems. The use of the scientific method of
inquiry is emphasized, and students are
encouraged to question and investigate topics
highlighted in current events and according to
their own interests.
Concepts are presented using inquiry-based
2. Courses address the concept of analytic
uncertainty and the rigorous process required to approaches in early oceanographic studies to
take an idea to a hypothesis and then to a
modern, space-based missions. The use of
validated scientific theory.
hypotheses, methodologies, and interpretations
is emphasized. Plate tectonic theory is used as a
prime example of a validated scientific theory
that allows development of better
understanding of the earth and nearby planets.
3. Lab courses engage students in inquiry-based Not applicable
learning activities where they formulate a
hypothesis, design an experiment to test the
hypothesis, and collect, interpret, and present
the data to support their conclusions.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. understand the general principles associated
Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science.
with the discipline(s) studied
As such, general principles of physics,
chemistry, geology, meteorology, and biology
are presented. The interaction of relevant
principles is emphasized.
2. understand the methodology and activities
In-depth examples of methodology, data
scientists use to gather, validate and interpret
acquisition, data validation, and interpretation
data related to natural processes
from plate-tectonic theory, meteorology, and
marine biology are used to illustrate
approaches to scientific inquiry in appropriate
disciplines.
3. detect patterns, draw conclusions, develop
Natural patterns of oceanic circulation, waves,
conjectures and hypotheses, and test them by
atmospheric circulation, geological processes,
appropriate means and experiments
and biological migrations are used to promote
pattern recognition, hypothesis development,
and hypothesis testing.
4. understand how scientific laws and theories
Actual data form systems listed in (3) are used
are verified by quantitative measurement,
to develop critical reasoning skills.
scientific observation, and logical/critical
Experiments are discussed, but no data are
reasoning
collected or analyzed because this is not a
laboratory class.
Specific examples of the consequences of
5. understand the means by which analytic
uncertainty and error in measurement are used
uncertainty is quantified and expressed in the
natural sciences
to illustrate limitations on the ability to predict
natural patterns or predict consequences of
human actions. Specific examples include
climate, weather, catastrophic methane release,
and over-fishing.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
GEOSCIENCES 105, OCEANOGRAPHY
SPRING 2008 MW 6:10 to 7:30
Dr. Nancy W. Hinman
Department: Geosciences
Email: nhinman@selway.umt.edu
Phone: (406) 243-5277
Expectations: At the end, students are expected to have a general understanding of
• the origin of the earth and ocean basins,
• the geology of the ocean floor and the processes that control its topography,
• materials on the seafloor whether living or inanimate,
• the role of the oceans in climate control,
• processes and patterns of oceanic and atmospheric circulation,
• seawater chemistry,
• marine productivity, and
• some biology of marine organisms.
Assessment and Grading Policies:
Assignments: Assignments will be taken from reading materials, in class topics, and the internet. All
assignments taken together will constitute 25% of the overall course grade. There will be 6 assignments, 5 to
count for the course grade. If you miss an assignment then that will become the dropped score. Some
assignments will be completed in groups during class. Late assignments will not be accepted more than one
class period late for any reason.
Examination: Examinations will be administered in class at the times scheduled below. Material will come
from reading materials, class notes, and in-class videos. Exams will be a combination of multiple-choice, shortanswer, and diagramming questions. There will be 4 examinations, 3 to count for the course grade. If you miss
an exam then that will become the dropped score. There will be NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS for any
reason.
Spelling: Spelling errors will be counted on all assignments; 2 misspelled words will count for 1 point. Up to 10
different misspelled words will be allowed on examinations. After 10 spelling errors on an exam, 2 misspelled
words will count for 1 point. If a word is in the text book, it will be considered to be on the spelling list.
Course grading scheme:
Assignments (5)
Examinations (3)
Total
100 pts.
300 pts.
400 pts.
Text: Sverdrup, Duxbury and Duxbury. 2006, Fundamentals of Oceanography, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, New
York.
Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm, 1997, any publisher or copy. (PS)
Blackboard Course Management Tool: courseware.umt.edu
Date
Topic
1-23
Reading
Introduction to Oceanography
Ch. 1
Earth, Plate Tectonics – Assignment 1-30 in class
2, 3
The Sea Floor, Sediments – Assignment 2 handed out 2-4, due 2-6
4
Exam chapters 1 – 4,
2-18, 20
Sediments, Study session is 2/12, 6:40 p.m
2-13 EXAM 1
2-11 Last day for many Registrar issues
Water, No Class 2-18
2-25, 27
Atmosphere and Oceans Assignment 3 in class 2-27
6 (PS through
Gloucester, Mass., 1991)
Ocean Circulation – Assignment 4 handed out 3-3, due 3-5
7 (PS through The
Flemish Cap)
3-10, 12
Waves and Tides
3-17, 19
Review and recap. Study session is 3/18, 6:40 p.m
8 (PS through Graveyard
of the Atlantic)
Chapters 5 though 8
3-24, 26
3-19 SECOND EXAM
SPRING BREAK
1-28, 30
2-4, 6
2-11, 13
3-3, 5
3-31, 4-2
4-7, 9
4-14, 16
Coasts, Estuaries, Environmental Issues – Assignment 5 handed out 331, due 4-2
Oceanic Environment and Productivity
9 (PS through The World
of the Living)
10
Life in the Water – Assignment 6 in class 4-16
11
Life on the Sea Floor, Study session is 4/22, 6:40 p.m.
4-23, THIRD EXAM
12, Exam on Chapters 9
– 12 (PS through end of
book)
Marine Resources
Extra readings
4-21, 23
4-28, 30
5-5
5
FINAL EXAM, 7:40 – 9:40 p.m.
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.