UNIVERISTY OF BELIZE
OCEANOGRAPHY
BIOL 451
Section 1 – MF 1-2:30 pm; Room JAB-D3
Lecturer:
Eden R. Garcia - Director, IMS & Lecturer, Science Department
Office:
Institute of Marine Studies Office – NRM Building
Phone:
822 – 3680/81 ext 449
Email:
egarcia@ub.edu.bz
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 3-5:00 pm or by appointment
Text:
Other:
Pinet, Paul R. 1998. Invitation to Oceanography. Jones and Bartlett
Publishers, Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Scientific articles and online assignments (www.jbpub.com/oceanlink/)
Course Description:
This course explores the structure, function and dynamics of the global oceans and other
marine systems, focusing primarily on the physical and chemical components like
seawater properties, ocean circulation, origin of ocean basins, waves, tides, the shorelines
and marine sedimentation. Introduction to concepts in marine ecology, biological
productivity in the ocean, as well as discussion of various ocean habitats and their biota
are also covered. Students will also review scientific articles relating to oceanographic
studies in Belize and the region in order to better understand the concepts and importance
of oceanography. Global to local scale human induced impacts and solutions to these
problems are explored, in addition to information provided by visiting guest lecturers
who have technical expertise in the field of oceanography.
Course Objectives:
1. To make students aware of the structure of global and regional oceanographic
systems and their ever-changing physical states.
2. To understand water movement dynamics of oceans such as ocean currents,
waves/tides and the physical processes that define ocean basins
3. To explore different coastal habitats and understand the general principles of
marine ecology and oceanic processes which affect these habitats and other
coastal areas.
4. To discuss national and international laws involved in the conservation of ocean
resources.
5. Discuss many of the environmental/human-induced impacts on ocean systems, in
particularly looking at case studies relevant to Belize.
Students that successfully complete this course should understand major local, regional
and global ocean systems, as well as the chemical and physical processes that affect
coastal habitats.
Attendance:
Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of the course as per the UB Student
handbook regulations. You will be responsible for all information presented on the day of
your absence, assignments due or given and for any make-up work. Students should try
to attend all classes. Six absences will mean a drop in the Letter Grade earned at the
course.
Evaluation:
Tests (3)
Assignments
Research Paper
Scientific Articles
Final exam
45%
10%
15%
10%
20%
The research paper should be well written in a professional format, using MLA or APA
writing style. Must have at least 10 references where available and applying critical and
objective thinking. Topic selected must be approved prior to developing the scope of
work. A draft copy can be turned in for review. The due date is November 17, 2006.
Anyone who misses a test will have to submit a valid university excuse or a medical
paper in order to get a make-up test. If not, the individual will obtain a zero for that test.
It is your responsibility to make arrangements if you are planning to be absent for a test
or missed the test for other reasons beyond your control. You will still be held
responsible for turning in assignments when due, even if you plan to be absent. NO
LATE assignments will be accepted unless the person was absent with a valid excuse.
Course Outline:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Intro, discussion of syllabus; Chp1 – Growth of Oceanography
Chp2 – Origin of Ocean basins.
Chp3 – Marine Sedimentation .
Chp4 - Properties of Sea Water. TEST 1
Chp5- Ocean Circulation.
Chp5 - Cont’d. 1st Draft of Paper Due with References
Chp6 - Waves in the Ocean
Chp7 – Tides. TEST 2 (Midterm Exam)
Chp8 – The dynamic shoreline
Chp9 – Marine Ecology.
Chp10 – Biological Productivity in the Oceans &
Field Trip to Calabash Caye on the weekend of October 20-22, 2006
Chp11 – Ocean habitats and their biota. TEST 3
Chp11 – Cont’d
Chp12 – The human presence in the ocean.
Guest Speaker and Poster Presentation
Final Exam