EEOS 226
INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY
SPRING 2008
Instructor: Prof. ANAMARIJA FRANKIĆ
TA: Lisa.Greber001@umb.edu
Office Number: S/1/061
Office Hours: M-W 1-2:30 pm or by appointment
Telephone: 617-287-4415
Email Address: anamarija.frankic@umb.edu
Web Page: http://alpha.es.umb.edu/faculty/af/frankic.html
Department Website: http://www.es.umb.edu/
Course Description: Introduction to Oceanography
Course meets Tuesdays and Thursdays (3 hours a week), with no lab component. This course satisfies the
general education requirements. Although there are no prerequisites, a basic science background is helpful.
This course introduces the student to the scientific study of the oceans by exploring basic principles from
marine science sub-disciplines such as chemical, physical, geological, and biological oceanography.
Teaching Goals & Objectives: The students will be introduced to four key aspects of the oceanography: geological,
physical, chemical, and biological. The link between them is “the life in the ocean” – students will learn about
different forms of life in the ocean, and interconnectedness between living and nonliving aspects within the ocean
ecosystem, as well as learn about interactions between oceans and humans. Why? Where? When? And How?
The prerequisite to engage and enjoy this course is to think critically, eloquently and to be curious.
Text Book: Tom S. Garrison, Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science, 6th edition;
Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory and will be monitored. Attendance will be considered when
deciding borderline grades. Any excused absence requires a neatly written or typed explanation of why you
will miss or have missed and must have supporting documentation (Dr. excuse, tow bill, etc.). It is your
responsibility to submit the documentation during office hours and discuss the missed test, class or assignment
with me when you return to class and before the end of the semester – no exceptions.
Grade Evaluation and Policies: Your final grade will be determined from the following:
Attendance/participation 10%; 2 Quizzes 10%; 4 Homeworks 30%; 2 Exams 50%
Mid term and final exams will be graded as follows: one week homework preparation (35%) + small class
working groups (35%) + in class quiz questions (30%). The test content will focus largely on the lecture notes
and any sections recommended directly from the textbook. Your homework and quizzes will prepare you for the
exams as well. Homeworks are expected to provide in depth answers in your own words on at least two pages
with listed references. Homeworks have to be delivered on time and no cut and paste texts from any source will
be accepted!
Your final letter grade will be based on the following percentile ranges:
93 - 100 = A
81 - 92 = B
70 - 80 = C
(56 - 69 = D
55 or less = F)
Beepers and cell phones: Are disturbing to the class as a whole. Both are required to be turned off during all
classes- no exceptions. If your phone and/or beeper go off during class you will be expected to leave the
classroom for the remainder of the lecture.
Course Success Statement: To be successful in this course, you are expected to attend class regularly, prepare for
class by reading assigned work prior to class meetings, completing and submitting take-home assignments by the
scheduled deadlines, and asking questions in/out of class. Please use email only for brief correspondence, such as to
request a time to meet or to notify me of an unavoidable absence due to sickness.
Tentative Course Outline: The instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule when appropriate;
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Lectures, reading texts, homeworks and assignments are available at the course web site:
alpha.es.umb.edu/faculty/af/frankic.html
TWO FIELD TRIPS ARE PLANNED DURING THE SEMESTER:
1. Two hour BOAT CRUISE of Boston Harbor is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, from 11 am to 1 pm!
2. Field trip to the near by coastal beach area in April will be scheduled during the class time;
INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY
I. The Ocean World – Life in the Oceans: The First Class – your vision and knowledge about the
ocean:
Legal size papers and color pans were provided to students to draw/write about how they perceive
oceans; and write down questions about ocean topics they would like to learn more about in this
class; your questions are incorporated in this syllabus:
A. Life in open ocean environments (At what depth does marine life become scarcer?)
- Primary production; food web; six kingdoms; photosynthesis;
- Introduction to seawater properties (chemical oceanography)
B. Life in hydrothermal vents
- Chemosynthesis;
- Geological oceanography (earth origin); plate tectonics;
C. Life in the coastal environments (estuaries, salt marshes, coral reefs)
- Physical oceanography – ocean movements; tides, waves;
- Geological oceanography – continental margins
D. Life in the deep sea (physical and chemical adaptations)
- Chemical oceanography – water properties; carbon cycle;
- Geological oceanography – ocean floor; sediments; benthos;
E. What in general affects the abundance and diversity of marine life?
- integrating basic biological-geological-physical-chemical aspects of the oceans
II. The Oceans, the Atmosphere, the Sun, and the Moon
A. Weather, ocean currents, and climate (Why is the temperature warmer near the ocean in the
winter but colder in the summer than it is inland? How does ocean current affect the weather?)
B. Why is the sea salty? (If the oceans evaporated, how much salt (height, weight) would cover the
ocean floor? Where does the salt come from?)
C. What creates tides and waves? (Why/how does high and low tide occur?)
D. Sea-level changes – why, where, how;
E. Light, sound and oceans (What was the infamous “Bloop” sound picked up off S. America?)
- Physical oceanography
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III. Environmental Evolution – life and ocean evolving together (geological and ecological history)
A. Where the ocean has been and where it might be going? (Lovelock Gaia video)
- Why is the soil different on the beach from the soil in my backyard?
B. Plate Tectonics, Continental Margins and Ocean Basins
- How were land masses actually formed from the ocean? Will the world someday be like
waterworld?
IV. Humans and Oceans: Changing the natural cycles and types of pollution
A. Global Climate Change
B. Fisheries
- Fisheries games ; At the current rate, how long do you think that the oceans fish stock will
last?
C. Oceans and Human Health
- healthy oceans – healthy humans
D. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management
- laws and policies, monitoring and indicators of ecosystem health
- What area has the greatest coastal degradation? Does that damage extend outward to the open
ocean? What are the renewable energy sources from the oceans?
E. Marine and Coastal Conservation (MPAs)
- What are and where are the solutions for the current ocean issues?
- Future Oceanography
For matters regarding academic dishonesty and misconduct, please refer to the UMASS Boston
Code of Student Conduct:
www.umb.edu/student_affairs/programs/judicial/csc.html
www.cpcs.umb.edu/support/studentsupport/red_book/policies_academic_dishonesty.html
If you have a disability and feel you will need accommodations in order to complete course
requirements, please contact the Ross Center for Disability Services (Campus Center 2nd floor,
Room 2010, at 617-287-7430.
STUDENT’S (YOUR) GOALS & OBJECTIVES, & expectations from this course:
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