HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOUTHWEST
COURSE OUTLINE FOR GEOL 1345 – Introductory OCEANOGRAPHY
Fall Session, 2007
Class Number 13280
Time and Location
9:30 am- 11:00 am. Tuesday & Thursday Room S-114.
Stafford Campus Scarcella Building.
Instructor:
Dr Albert (Al) Allong.
Office Hours in Room S- 114, by arrangement
Office Phone: 713-718-7771
Email: aallong@sbcglobal.net or albert.allong@hccs.edu
Web site http:learning.swc.hccs.edu/
Textbook
Essentials of OCEANOGRAPHY. 9th. Edition. by Harold V. Thurman &
Alan P. Trujillo. ISBN: 0-13-240122-3. Pearson Prentice Hall –Publishers. 2004.
LAB requirements
None, but Lab activities will be included as part of class work.
Course Catalog Description
An introduction to the world’s oceans, emphasizing the geological, physical, biological,
chemical and ecological aspects of the marine environment. Core Curriculum Course
Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Intent
This course is intended for students majoring in one of the physical sciences or life
sciences. It is also beneficial to students who are preparing themselves for higher level
science courses in their respective curricula.
Course Content
The key questions to be addressed are:
 History and development of the science of Oceanography.
 Geologic structure of the Ocean Basins
 Interrelationships between Sea water, the Atmosphere and Climate.
 Waves, currents and Tides
 Chemical and biological processes in the Marine ecosystem.
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Attendance Policy
The HCCS attendance policy is stated in the Schedule of Classes. “Students are expected
to attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for materials covered during their
absences, and it is their responsibility to consult with instructors for make up
assignments. Class attendance is checked daily.
“Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop a course for non attendance, the
instructor has full authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A student may be
dropped from a course for excessive absences after the student has accumulated absences
in excess of 12.5% of the hours of instruction”.
If circumstances significantly prevent you from attending classes, please inform me. I
realize that sometimes outside circumstances can interfere with school, and I will try to
be as accommodating as possible, but please be aware of the attendance policy.
Last day for Administrative and Student Withdrawals.
This date is November 8th.
I urge any student who is contemplating withdrawing from the class to visit with me first.
DISABILITY and SUPPORT SERVICES
HCCS is committed to compliance with “The American with Disabilities and the
Rehabilitation Act 1973, Section 504”.
If you have any special needs or disabilities that may affect your ability to succeed in
class or to participate in activities, contact the office of Disability Support Services. Upon
consultation, one will be provided with reasonable accommodations.
DSS office contact is Dr. Becky Hauri at 713- 718 7909.
Academic Honesty
* You are expected to comply with the guidelines and policies in the HCCS student
handbook.
* Cheating in class examinations will result in a grade “F”, and possible expulsion from
the college.
Examinations
There are four Quizzes and during the semester and one Final Examination at the end of
the semester, based on lectures (from the Text book).
A written report on an assigned topic, later to be presented orally is expected from each
student.
All quizzes (pre-announced) will be given during normal class period. There are no
make-ups.
The Final exam is comprehensive.
Class Participation
Participation in class is evaluated on articles presented at the beginning of each class
period. These articles (10 in number) must be current and pertinent to the subject matter
(Oceanography related). Articles must be submitted with a typed summary. Because of
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the limited time, one or more articles could be presented by a student during a class
period. The last day for submitting articles is November 20th.
Term Paper
Each student is required to write a Term Paper. Use the MLA format. (5 – 6) pages, 12
font, double spacing, with a separate Reference page. This assignment is due on
November 21st. At a later date (to be assigned), you are expected to present it orally to the
class.
Grades
Final Exam 30%
Quizzes
40%
Term Paper (written) 10%
(oral)
10%
Class participation
10%
TOTAL
100%
The letter grade used, corresponds as follows:
“A” is equivalent to 90-100%
“B” is equivalent to 80- 89%
“C” is equivalent to 70- 79%
“D” is equivalent to 60- 69%
Other Information
The use of cell phones during class is prohibited.
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Preliminary Schedule
Week # 1
Week # 2
Week # 3
Week # 4
Week # 5
Week # 6
Week # 7
Week # 8
Week # 9
Week # 10
Week # 11
Week # 12
Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction to Planet Earth
Beginning of the Universe, earth and life.
Chapter 2. Plate Tectonics and the Ocean Floor.
Chapter 3. Marine Provinces
Chapter 4. Marine Sediments.
Quiz # 1
Chapter 5. Water and Seawater.
Chapter 6. Air-Sea Interaction
Chapter 7. Ocean Circulation.
Chapter 8. Waves and Water Dynamics
Quiz # 2
Chapter 9. Tides.
Chapter 10. The Coast: Beaches and Shoreline Processes
Chapter 11. Coastal Ocean
Quiz # 3
Chapter 12.. Marine Life and the Environment.
Chapter 13. Biological Productivity and Energy Transfer
Week # 13
Chapter 14. Animals of the Pelagic Environment
Chapter 15. Animals of the Benthic Environment.
Quiz # 4
Week # 14
Marine Resources and Concerns
Week # 15
Oral Presentations
Review
.
CRN # 13280 FINAL EXAMINATION : December 11th. @ 9:00 am in Rm S-114.
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