Oceanography
This course is designed to introduce students to the important physical and biological processes in the oceans in a way that links these conceptual principles together within our earth’s systems. The initial focus includes the principles upon which physical oceanography is based. This understanding is applied to rotation and revolution of the planet, plate tectonics, bathymetry and an investigation into the waves, tides, currents, and the large-scale ocean circulation and weather patterns. The marine biological study includes the communities of estuaries, sandy beaches, coral reefs, intertidal zones, kelp forests, and pelagic and benthic environments including hydrothermal vents. The course concludes with an investigation of fish with an emphasis on chondrichthyes. Throughout the course, examples will be given to show how physical oceanography affects and is affected by the biological, chemical, and geological processes -- the biogeochemical cycles of our earth.
RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Biology
Basic and On Demand are always open for registration.
Plus courses are created upon request.
SEMESTER 1
Unit 1: Water Planet
- Earth’s Rotation & The Reason for the Season
- Latitude and Longitude
- Hydrologic Cycle
- Oceanographic Maps
Unit 2: Plate Tectonics
- Geology
- Continental Drift, Boundaries and Hot Spots
- Geologic Events
Unit 3: Bathymetry and Sedimentation
- Ocean Floor Features
- Bathymetric Tools
- Bathymetric Charting
- The Stories of Sediments Part 1
- The Stories of Sediments Part 2
Unit 4: Ocean Atmosphere
- Ocean Atmosphere Part 1
- Ocean Atmosphere Part 2
- Ocean Currents
- Weather: Hurricanes
- Weather: El Niño
- Global Warming: Causes
- Global Warming: Effects
Unit 5: Waves and Tides
- Mechanics of Waves
- Types of Waves
- Tides
SEMESTER 2
Unit 6: Marine Communities
- Types and Survival
- Population and Changes
- Sand
- Sandy Beach Community
- Estuary
Unit 7: Intertidal Environment
- Conditions and Adaptations Part 1
- Conditions and Adaptations Part 2
- Zones
- Classification Mini-Lesson
- Organisms: Echinoderms Part 1
- Organisms: Echinoderms Part 2
- Organisms: Mollusks
Unit 8: Coral Reef
- Reef Formation
- Porifera
- Cnidaria Part 1
- Cnidaria Part 2
- Reef Relationships and Zonation
- Environmental Factors: Threatened and Thriving
Unit 9: Algae
- Varieties and Characteristics of Multicellular Marine Algae
- Algae Zonation
- Kelp Forest Ecology
- Arthropods
Unit 10: Pelagic and Benthic Environments
- Light Zones
- Layers and Pressure
- Behaviours and Characteristics of Pelagic and Benthic Organisms
- Behaviours and Characteristics of the Abyssal and Hadal Zone Organisms
Unit 11: Ichthyes
- Evaluate Characteristics of Fishes
- Structural and Environmental Adaptations
- Investigate Chondrichthyes