Oceanography
Name: _______________________ Period: _____
Fall 2014 – First Semester
Mrs. Williams Rm. 339
cheryl.williams@matsuk12.us
Course Description: Oceanography is a one semester elective science course. Oceanography
is a branch of Earth science that studies the ocean. In this course we will focus on the impact
of the polar regions on Earth’s oceans and climate.
Textbook: A variety of resources will be used, including:
 Introductory Oceanography (Thurman 2004)
 Polar Science & Global Climate (Pearson 2010)
Grading Scale:
A: 90% - 100%
B: 80% - 89%
Academic Dishonesty
C: 70% - 79%
will result in a zero.
D: 60% - 69%
F: below 60%
Occasionally extra credit opportunities will be offered to the class, not individuals. The
maximum score that can be obtained on any assignment is 120%.
Semester Grade:
50% Exams and Projects – Exam dates and project due dates will be announced
approximately one week in advance. Please communicate with me if you are struggling to get
a project in on time. The late penalty for projects is 10% off per day, up to 40% maximum
penalty. Students absent for an exam need to make arrangements to make it up during
PHARM, or after school.
20% Daily Work – Daily work includes labs, activities, quizzes and videos. Students will also
have a science journal for taking notes, video reflections and various activities. Labs, quizzes
and videos can be made up before or after school or during PHARM.
10% Participation – Participation points are earned for coming to class prepared and on time,
completing bell questions/agendas, participating in all class activities and exhibiting
appropriate behavior. Missed participation points can be made up by completing the “Science
Today” assignment.
20% Final Project – After a semester of studying oceanography, students will design a final
project. The final project can be an experiment, research project or other project based on
their interests. The final project will demonstrate understanding and knowledge in the field of
oceanography.
Attendance/Make-Up: The school attendance and late policy will be followed. It is the
student’s responsibility to come in before school, during PHARM or after school to get make-up
work. Students and parents may also use www.edmodo.com to look up missing assignments.
Students will be given a reasonable amount of time to turn in make-up work, based on the
length of the absence. Students absent on the day a project is due are expected to turn in the
project on the day they return. Projects done in partnerships or small groups will be due on
the announced due date, even if group members are absent.
Required Materials: bring EVERY class period
 three ring notebook with notebook paper –or- composition notebook
 pencil or pen
 donations needed: Kleenax, pencils, pens, scissors, staplers, chocolate 
Class Expectations:
1. Be _______________________.
 Bring supplies to class.
 Come to class on time.
 Sit in your assigned seat.
 Complete homework.
 Request and do make-up work.
 Keep appointments.
2. Be ____________________.
 Follow directions.
 Use lab equipment only for its
intended purpose.
 Leave food and drinks outside class.
 Clean up after yourself.
Name: _______________________ Period: _____
3. Be _____________________.
Allow others to learn.
Use language that is not offensive or
insulting to others.
 Wait for the teacher to dismiss class
before leaving your seat.
 Do not damage or vandalize school
equipment.
4. Be _______________________.
 Do not cheat or lie.
 Do your own work.
 Do your best.


Policies & Procedures: Please initial each line.
________
Electronic equipment (cell phones, i-pods etc.) is not to be seen or heard in class,
unless you’ve been given special permission to use your technology for an
educational purpose.
________
Bathroom/hall passes are for the most extreme special circumstances. You may
use the hall pass three times per quarter.
________
Food and drink are not allowed in the classroom.
________
Use i-parent to check your grade regularly.
________
Use edmodo.com to get assignments when absent.
Discipline Policy: My goal is for all students to be successful. It is unacceptable for a
student’s behavior to interfere with the learning of others. The following steps will be followed
to deal with unacceptable behavior:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Hallway Ticket with student/teacher conference.
3. Hallway Ticket with parent contacted.
4. Student sent to counselor.
5. Student sent to administrator with disciplinary referral.
6. Student removed from class.
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Quarter 1
Topic:
Syllabus & Introduction
Polar Regions & Oceans
Ocean Energy - Productivity
Oceans Energy – Albedo
Oceans Energy – Seasons
Oceans & the Atmosphere
Oceans & the Atmosphere
Ocean Currents
Ocean Currents
Ocean Currents
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Quarter 2
Topic:
Marine Biology
Marine Biology
Marine Biology
Oceans & Ice
Oceans & Ice
Oceans & People
Oceans from Space
Work on Final Project
FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Christmas Break
Please sign below to indicate that you have read and understand the above course syllabus.
_____________________________________
Student Signature
________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature