College of Micronesia
PO Box 159
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Course Title: Oceanography w/ lab
Department & Number:
Math & Science: MR 240
Course Description: The course will include sections on oceanographic history, geology,
chemistry, physics, biology, technology, and careers. The use of terminology will be
emphasized. Laboratory and field exercises will include demonstration of basic concepts; use of
instrumentation; and the collection and presentation of oceanographic data.
Course Prepared by: Allain Bourgoin
Hours per week
Lecture
State: National Campus
No. of week
Total Hours
Semester Credits
_____3____
x
___16___
= 48
=
_____3_____
Laboratory _____3____
x
___16___
= 48
=
_____1_____
Workshop __________
x
________ x ________
=
___________
Purpose of Course:

Degree Requirement _____X______
Degree Elective
__________
Certificate
___________
Other
__________
This course meets PLOs 3.4 AND 3.5 of the General Education Program.
Prerequisite Courses: A “C” or better in ESL 089 (Reading V)
________________________________________
Signature, Chairperson, Curriculum & Assessment Committee
_______________________________________
Signature, VPIA, COM-FSM
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
__________________
Date Approved
__________________
Date Approved
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of geological, geographical, physical, chemical,
astrological and biological oceanography;
2. Apply fundamental knowledge of marine sciences towards identifying and critically
analyzing, and outlining potential solutions for local, regional and global problems
relating to marine systems;
3. Apply the scientific process to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and collect and
analyze data from which valid scientific conclusions are drawn; and
4. Communicate effectively, in written and oral forms, utilizing the language and concepts
of marine science.
B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) – GENERAL:
The student will be able to:
1. List some general facts that permit to consider that “Earth is an Ocean World”;
2. Identify major historical events to show how the science of oceanography has evolved
over time;
3. Describe the theory of plate tectonic and demonstrate how it relates to the distribution and
origin of sea floor morphological features and its overlying sediment
depositions.(Geological and geomorphological oceanography);
4. Relate the structure of the water molecule to the chemical and physical properties of the
ocean. (Chemical oceanography);
5. Illustrate the interaction between the oceanic and the atmospheric circulation patterns and
explain how it affects the climate patterns of the Earth. (Physical oceanography);
6. Describe the factors that generate tides and define the various tidal patterns. (Physical
oceanography);
7. State the factors that influence the primary productivity in the oceans and illustrate how it
affects the biomass of living forms in the ocean realm. (Biological oceanography); and
8. Apply the scientific method to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate
oceanographic concepts.
SLO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
PLO1
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
PLO2 PLO3 PLO4
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
I
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) – SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:
General SLO 1. List some general facts that permit to consider that “Earth is an
Ocean World”.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
1.1 Define the term oceanography and report on basic ocean
Homework, class quiz,
statistical facts, notably: the total overall ocean surface area to land
exam.
area; the ocean to land distribution by hemisphere; the average depth
(in m) of the ocean as opposed to the average elevation of the land;
the average temperature (oC) and salinity (ppt) of the ocean; name
the deepest spot, its total depth (in m), and identify where it is
located.
1.2 Compare/contrast the major ocean basins, notably the Pacific,
Homework, class quiz,
the Atlantic, the Indian, the Arctic, and their interconnectedness.
exam.
General SLO 2. Identify major historical events to show how the science of oceanography has
evolved over time.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
2.1 Associate the age of discovery in oceanography with voyaging
Homework, class quiz,
for trade and exploration by ship which culminated with Magellan’s exam.
circumnavigation of the globe between 1519 and 1521.
2.2 Associate that the expeditions during the eighteen and nineteenth Homework, class quiz,
centuries equally included scientific goals which led to advances in
exam.
ocean studies: Cook (1768-1779; Darwin (1831-1836); Thomson
and Murray in the epic expedition on the HMS Challenger (18721876).
2.3 Describe that the rise of marine institutions that began in the
Homework, class quiz,
early twentieth century and the current oceanographic research
exam.
perspectives largely depends on major collaborative programs at
international levels; and, rely more and more on remote-sensing
technology, computer modeling, and other advanced technologies.
General SLO 3. Describe the theory of plate tectonic and demonstrate how it relates to the
distribution and origin of sea floor morphological features and its overlying sediment
depositions. (Geological and geomorphological oceanography)
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
3.1 Explain how Earth’s inner layers are classified; list the three
Homework, class quiz,
major layers; and compare/contrast between the continental crust
exam.
and the oceanic crust (average thickness; density; rock type)
3.2 Enumerate the arguments that Wagener used to defend the
Homework, class quiz,
theory of continental drift, notably: the fit between the edges of
exam, video on plate
continents with offshore contours reinforcing these observations;
tectonics.
common geological features (mountain ranges; rock structures…)
and fossils on continents that are presently separated by oceans;
fossilized remains of tropical plants in the Antarctic continent.
3.3 Associate the theories of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics
Homework, class quiz,
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
by listing and describing the supportive evidences confirming these
theories, notably: positive and negative magnetic anomalies profiles
of the ocean basins; paleomagnetisms; seismic activities
concentrated along plate boundaries; hot spots/mantle plumes; the
formation of island arcs, atolls, and guyots; the age of the oceanic
crust and the thickness of the overlying sediment deposits.
3.4 Review plate tectonics in terms of its effect on ocean margins
and basins by summarizing in a table format the characteristics of
plate boundaries, notably: the types of plate boundaries; the plate
motions; the events observed; and examples of locations of each
plate type.
3.5 Identify the morphological features of the ocean basins basin by
first stating what differentiates the continental margin from the deepsea basin, and then, by describing and be able to label on a map or
profile, the following seafloor features: continental shelf, continental
slope, shelf break, continental rise, submarine canyons, abyssal
plains, guyots, sea mounts, mid-ocean ridges, transform faults, and
trenches.
3.6 Classify the sediment by particle size, source/origin, and state
their respective degree of importance, their distribution over the
seafloor bed, along with the influence of the CCD on sediment
distribution. Red clays and oozes will be further described.
3.7 Evaluate the present economic importance of marine minerals
and fossil fuels and their potential future exploitation outcomes.
exam, video on plate
tectonics.
Homework, class quiz,
exam, video on plate
tectonics.
Homework, class quiz,
exam.
Homework, class quiz,
exam.
Homework, class quiz,
exam.
General SLO 4. Relate the structure of the water molecule to the chemical and physical
properties of the ocean. (Chemical oceanography)
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
4.1 Describe the properties of the water molecule, notably: its polar Homework, class quiz,
nature; the hydrogen bonding; its dissolving power; its unique
exam.
freezing and boiling properties with its effects on water density; its
high heat capacity and effects on regulating the world climates.
4.2 Define the principle of constant proportions (Dittmar Principle); Homework, class quiz,
link it to its use in measuring the total seawater salinity via the
and exam.
chlorinity; show how this principle is associated to the major
conservative ions/constituents of the seawater; and give the reason
why the minor ions/constituents, and trace element are nonconservative elements, and consequently, do not respect the
principle of constant proportion.
4.3 Name the three major dissolved gases in seawater; and explain,
Homework, class quiz,
by sketching a profile, how and why oxygen and carbon dioxide
and exam.
levels change with depth in the open ocean.
4.4 Influencing effect of the temperature and salinity in
Homework, class quiz,
characterizing the density of a given seawater mass; then, name and and exam.
describe the three major density stratified zones of the ocean basins.
An exercise will be
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
carried out during a
laboratory session to
describe the effects of
temperature and salinity
on density.
Field work will be carried
out at different stations
along an estuary to
measure the salinity and
temperature profile with
depth and their mixing
patterns.
General SLO 5. Illustrate the interaction between the oceanic and the atmospheric circulation
patterns and explain how it affects the climate patterns of the Earth. (Physical oceanography)
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
5.1 Illustrate in a drawing the global atmospheric circulation cells or Homework, class quiz,
weather patterns; the location of the associated wind regimes; and
and exam.
the corresponding convergence and divergent zones.
5.2 Sketch a world ocean view of the surface currents; describe the
Homework, class quiz,
relationship between the wind, surface currents, Coriolis effect,
and exam.
Ekman transport, and their links to the formation of geostrophic
gyres; list the five geostrophic gyres and the additional West Wind
Drift; compare/contrast within a given geostophic gyre, western and
eastern boundary currents, in terms of relative width, depth, speed,
and water temperature.
5.3 Define both upwellings and downwellings; explain what causes
Homework, class quiz,
them; distinguish between the coastal and equatorial upwellings;
and exam.
and, relate the importance of upwellings in terms of primary
productivity, marine life support, and economic interest for major
world fisheries.
5.4 Define thermohaline circulation; discuss the origin, nature, and
Homework, class quiz,
location of its associated major deep water current namely, the
and exam.
Antarctic Bottom Water and the North Atlantic Deep Water; explain
what the “global conveyer belt” is; its significance for both life in
the ocean and Earth’s climate; describe the causes of an eventual
shut down of the global conveyer belt system, and its consequences.
General SLO 6. Describe the factors that generate tides and define
(Physical oceanography)
Student Learning Outcomes
6.1 Define the term “tides”; explain the effects of the moon and the
sun on the tides; differentiate between the Spring and Neap tides;
compare/contrast diurnal, semidiurnal, and mixed tides; define a
tidal range and state where and the approximate height of the
highest tidal ranges in the world; differentiate between the flood,
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
the various tidal patterns.
Assessment Strategies
Homework, class quiz,
and exam.
Integrate in the field trip
study of the mixing water
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
ebb currents, and slack water; and define tidal bores and tsunami
(tidal wave).
mass patterns in an
estuary, the impact of the
tidal cycle.
Laboratory exercise
applying the rule of the
12 to define the water
height and its
corresponding time
during a tide cycle.
General SLO 7. State the factors that influence the primary productivity in the oceans and
illustrate how it affects the biomass of living forms in the ocean realm. (Biological
oceanography)
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
7.1 Classify the marine environment according to light penetration
Homework, class quiz,
(photic versus aphotic); according to location (neritic versus oceanic; and exam.
pelagic versus benthic); according to behavior (planktonic versus
nektonic).
During a field trip
exercise to study the
dynamics of an estuary,
secchi disk measurements
are made to account for
the water turbidity level
and the corresponding
light penetration.
7.2 Describe the flow of energy and materials in an ocean
Homework, class quiz,
ecosystem by sketching a pyramid of energy; by giving examples of and exam.
such pyramids; and by describing where the richest fishing grounds
are found and why this is so.
7.3 Give examples of impact of pollution have for the fisheries and
Homework, class quiz,
on marine environments; show how it affects humankind on short
and exam.
and long term basis; and list ways to conserve and protect the marine
environment
General SLO 8. Apply the scientific method to comprehend, interpret, analyze, and evaluate
oceanographic concepts.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
8.1 Illustrate through various examples covered during the lectures
Throughout the lectures,
on how scientists approach and solve problems in oceanography; to
the students will be
apply the scientific method to identify, engage, and solve problems
reminded of the scientific
that arise in oceanography; to critically evaluate both sources and
approach used by
content of information pertaining to oceanography; and recognize
oceanographers.
the limits of the scientific approach in solving problems.
The study of the salinity
and temperature profiles
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
of the Dausokele bay
estuary permits the
students to have a hand
on experience of the
scientific approach.
Among the objectives
sought: the student learns
how to handle and use
various sampling gears
related to coastal
oceanography; the
student learn to gather
data in the field, to
compile, to analyze, to
interpret, and to discuss
the results in light of a
literature review; and
finally, the student learns
how to write a practical
research report respecting
the rigors of the scientific
methodology.
D. COURSE CONTENT
1. One World Ocean
2. A Brief History of Oceanography
2.1 Voyaging Begins
2.2 Scientific Expeditions on the XVIII and XIX century
2.3. The Rise of Oceanographic Institution, Current and Future Oceanographic Research
3. Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics
3.1 A Layered Earth
3.2 Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading Theories
3.3 Plate Tectonics Theory
4. Continental Margins and Deep-Ocean Basins
4.1 The Topography of Ocean Floor
4.2 Continental Margins
4.3 Deep-Ocean Basins
5. Sediments
5.1 Classifying Sediments by Particle Size
5.2 Classifying Sediments by Source (Origin)
5.3 The Distribution of Marine Sediments: A World Ocean View
5.4 The Economic Importance of Marine Sediments
6. Seawater Chemistry
6.1 The Water Molecule
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
6.2 The Dissolving Power of Water
6.3 Seawater and the Principle of Constant Proportions
6.4 Dissolved Gases
6.5 Temperature, salinity and Water Density
6.6 The Three Layered Density Stratified Ocean Basins
7. Atmospheric Circulation and Weather
7.1 Composition and Properties of the Atmosphere
7.2 Atmospheric Circulation Cells and Associated Wind Patterns
8. Ocean Circulation
8.1 The Forces That Drive Currents
8.2 Surface Currents
8.3 Upwellings and Downwellings
8.4 Thermohaline Circulation
9. Life in the Ocean
9.1 Classification of the Marine Environment
9.2 The Flow of Energy and Materials
9.3 Marine Productivity
9.4 Fisheries Resources
10. Non-Living Resources from the Sea Floor
10.1 Mineral Resources
10.2 Fossil Fuels
11. Human Impact on the Ocean
E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Instruction will involve lectures supported by detailed powerpoint presentations. Hand-outs
summarizing the lecture notes will be available at the start of each chapter to guide and
complement note taking in class. The hand-outs will equally be useful for the home
assignments and in preparing the class quizzes and exams. The laboratory sessions will
complement the course and furnish hands-on activities, designed to enhance to the studentcentered learning process.
F. REQURIED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Garrison, T. 2010. Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science. 7th ed. Brooks/Cole
Cengage Learning. Belmont, CA. (USA) (or most recent edition).
G. REFERENCE MATERIALS
Pinet P.R. 2003. Invitation to Oceanography. 3rd ed. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury
MA. (USA) (or most recent edition).
Trujillo A.P. and H.V. Thurman. 2008. Essentials of Oceanography. 9th ed. Pearson Prentice
Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. (or most recent edition).
[Any relevant and current materials pertaining to oceanography may be introduced by the
instructor, especially when regionally applicable.]
H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
Laboratory equipment/supplies must be purchased and field trips necessitate bus, boat, fuel,
and driver costs. Costs vary over time for salary and fuel. A rough estimate for costs is $500
per semester.
I. EVALUATION
None
J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None
MR240 OCEANOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11