SPRING Semester 2015
UCONN: MARN1002-801
ECE Introduction to Oceanography Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Kenneth Fusco
Course Description:
This course covers ocean sciences including the geology, chemistry, atmosphere,
currents, and man’s influence on the oceans. It is largely independent study, but
there are mandatory classroom/lab experiences. Students must have successfully
completed planet earth or earth science, biology prior to beginning this course.
Students either must have successfully completed or concurrently taking chemistry
AND marine biology as well.
Students scoring a C or better in this course will have the option of being awarded
3.0 credits from UCONN through the Early College Experience (ECE) program
(Course Number MAR 1002). Registration for ECE must be made prior to course
start (fee required).
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
 Describe the history of marine exploration
 Describe the process of sea floor spreading and its impact on marine science
 Describe the physical and chemical properties of water and sea water
 Explain how the atmosphere and oceans interact to produce weather
including hurricanes and the global heat distribution of the earth
 Describe the processes driving tides, currents, and waves
 Describe the major taxonomic groups of organisms in the oceans and their
interaction between each other and the environments.
 Explain the importance of the oceans to humans and discuss such topics as
ocean stewardship, and policies
 Because of the comprehensive nature of this course, students will be
prepared to compete in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl upon successful
completion of this course. Because of this added objective, students will also
be able to:
o List the rules of the National Ocean Science Bowl (NOSB)
o Work together as a team to successfully compete in mock
competitions as well as the actual regional NOSB.
Course Materials:
Text: Moran, J. (2008). Ocean Studies Introduction to Oceanography (2nd edition),
American Meteorological Society. ISBN-10 1-87820-90-X
Course Requirements:
Students are expected to perform readings in text, attend classes, and complete
homework including on-line activities. Students must pass a final examination.
Attendance is mandatory.
Pace
Because there is an on-line component, and each unit is designed to last one week,
much of the course will be independent reading, homework, and assignments. There
will be laboratory experiences during normal class time.
Course Schedule
Week #
Date
1
1/26
2
2/2
3
2/9
2/16
4
2/23
3/2
5
3/9
Title
Chapter
Ocean in the Earth System
- materials handed out
- introduction to materials
- homework assigned
- NOSB explained
- Review homework
- Overview of earth / ocean interactions and
importance for studying marine science
Ocean Basins and Plate Tectonics
- Review homework
- Plate tectonic lab
Properties of Ocean Water
- Water Models
water molecule
ice
- pH – buffering systems in the ocean
- Density and Temperature effect on Buoyancy
- Current flow
- NOAA Tide Webquest
- Measuring salinity
Marine Sediments
1
2
3
4
6
3/16
7
3/23
8
3/30
9
4/6
10
4/13
11
4/27
The Atmosphere and Ocean
- El Nino Lab
Ocean Currents
5
Ocean Waves and Tides
7
The Dynamic Coast
8
Marine Ecosystems
- Aquaculture
Life in the Ocean
- dissections – squid, clam, echinoderm
9
6
10
11
12
5/4
13
5/11
The Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Variability
The Ocean and Climate Change
12
14
5/18
15
5/25
16
6/1
6/8
The Future of Ocean Science
- Sound and the Sea / Making a hydrophone
Ocean Stewardship
13
Ocean Problems and Policy
15
Final Exam
Cumulative
14
Grading Policies
Final grade will be calculated based on homework, Labs, Quizzes, 3 tests, and final
exam. The final exam will count for 20% of the final course grade.
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
97-100
93-96
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
C
CD+
D
DF
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
Requirements/Grades
This course uses The American Meterological Society Website:
www.ametsoc.org/amsedu/login.cfm
LOGIN ID – plai151
Password – 15oce@ns
ALL Assignments for each week are due on the following Monday unless otherwise
notified. In addition to labs, projects, and Tests,
For each week homework will be to:
1. Read appropriate chapter
a. Log in to http://phsfusco.org
b. Go to “Oceanography” tab
c. Under “Textbook Chapter Progress Questions”, complete the
form associated with the current chapter
2. Open email from Mr. Fusco that contains the Investigation Manual
Assignments for the week (usually 2)
a. Print and complete Investigation Manual 1 & 2
b. Log in to http://phsfusco.org
c. Go to “Oceanography” tab
d. Under “Investigations Manual Questions”, complete the form
associated with BOTH investigations
3. Open email from Mr. Fusco that contains the Concept of the Week questions.
a. Go to www.ametsoc.org/amsedu/login.cfm
b. Read “Concept of the Week”
c. Print, complete, and hand in Concept of the Week Questions from
email
4. Go to www.ametsoc.org/amsedu/login.cfm
a. Complete “Current Ocean Studies” for the week and
b. Log in to http://phsfusco.org
c. Go to “Oceanography” tab
d. Under “Current Ocean Studies Questions”, complete the form
associated with the current chapter