Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
GEOLD020.
Course Title (CB02)
General Oceanography
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
An introduction to the physical environment of the ocean. Origin and evolution of ocean basins; sea-floor morphology; origin, distribution, historical record, and economic significance of marine sediments; ocean currents, climate and the ocean system, waves, tides, and changing sea level; beaches, shorelines, and coastal processes; marine resources, pollution, and human impacts on the oceans. (One Saturday field trip is required.)
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course meets general education requirements for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSUGE and IGETC. It is UC and CSU transferable. General Oceanography allows students to meet specific degree requirements or general education requirements while offering a curriculum tailored to a general understanding of the Ocean System necessary to participate as informed citizens of the planet.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GBX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area B - Natural SciencesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGB1CSU GE Area B1 - Physical ScienceApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG5AIGETC Area 5A - Physical ScienceApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Field observation and field trips

Assignments

  1. Required reading assignments from text
  2. Collaborative bi-weekly discovery-based activities emphasizing major course concepts
  3. Collaborative field-study and report on a coastal system survey

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Two or three subject mastery tests including multiple-choice and/or essay components evaluated for student understanding and comprehension of learning objectives
  2. Collaborative discovery-based activities based on major course concepts graded for completion and discussions of results among class members.
  3. Field survey report on coastal field-based study. Grading will involve completion of a formal written report.
  4. Two-hour final exam including multiple choice and/or essay components that require students to summarize, integrate and critically analyze and apply major course concepts; evaluated for student understanding and comprehension of the learning objectives

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Allan Trujillo and Harold Thurman, "Essentials of Oceanography," 12th ed.Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2017.
Christopher DiLeonardo and Bridget James, "Discover Planet Earth: The Ocean World," 1st ed., Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing 2016.
Thomas Garrison, "Essentials of Oceanography," 8th ed., Florence, KY: Brooks/Cole Publishing, 2018.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine the use of scientific methodology through the history of geographical and scientific exploration of the ocean system.
  • Describe the ocean system as an integral part of Earth's environment, with emphasis on those features and processes that are uniquely oceanic.
  • Examine Earth's plate tectonic framework. Explain the relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes, particularly those in western California, and the geological changes in the sea floor.
  • Compare the the variety of marine geological provinces, from continental shelves to the deep sea, and the physical and geological characteristics of these provinces.
  • Analyze the chemical and physical properties of seawater, and the importance that these properties have in maintenance of life on the planet.
  • Describe the distributions of temperature, salinity and density in the oceans, and how the oceans achieve these distributions.
  • Examine the impact of waves, ocean currents, and tides on the ocean system. Describe the impact of these processes on climate, maritime operations and human exploitation of the marine environment.
  • Examine critical issues facing the marine environment.
  • Explain the role of oceanographic research in resource development, pollution control, national security, and understanding Earth's climate system.

CSLOs

  • Apply the principles of scientific methodology to test hypotheses as to how the Earth's oceans work as an integrated system.

  • Use observations and data to characterize the dynamic Earth processes that act to shape the ocean floor and analyze the record of these processes within marine sediments and oceanic crust.

  • Analyze the dynamic movement of the water column of the oceans, through an application of the physical principles of ocean currents, waves, and tides and their effect on coastal systems and processes.

  • Apply scientific methodology and the principles of oceanography to analyze the impact of the ocean system on humanity, from specific natural hazards and the availability, use, and distribution of ocean resources.

Outline

  1. Examine the use of scientific methodology through the history of geographical and scientific exploration of the ocean system.
    1. Early history and chartmaking
    2. Famous voyages of discovery
    3. Voyages by early and indigenous seafaring cultures
    4. Modern oceanography-its beginnings and present
  2. Describe the ocean system as an integral part of Earth's environment, with emphasis on those features and processes that are uniquely oceanic.
    1. Earth's structure and seismology
    2. Origins of the ocean basins
    3. Shape of the sea floor
    4. Structure and sedimentary characteristics
  3. Examine Earth's plate tectonic framework. Explain the relationship between earthquakes and volcanoes, particularly those in western California, and the geological changes in the sea floor.
    1. Plate tectonic framework of the ocean system
      1. History of the concept of sea floor spreading
      2. Evidence for plate boundaries and plate movements
    2. Description of sea floor evolution
  4. Compare the the variety of marine geological provinces, from continental shelves to the deep sea, and the physical and geological characteristics of these provinces.
    1. Continental margins
    2. Mid-ocean rises and ridges
    3. Abyssal plains
  5. Analyze the chemical and physical properties of seawater, and the importance that these properties have in maintenance of life on the planet.
    1. Temperature, salinity and density fields
    2. Oceanographic instrumentation
  6. Describe the distributions of temperature, salinity and density in the oceans, and how the oceans achieve these distributions.
    1. Ocean water stratification
      1. Surface mixed layer
      2. The pycnocline and density contrasts of the ocean column
      3. Intermediate and deep water layers
      4. Atlantic and Antarctic bottom water
    2. Deep ocean circulation
  7. Examine the impact of waves, ocean currents, and tides on the ocean system. Describe the impact of these processes on climate, maritime operations and human exploitation of the marine environment.
    1. Ocean circulation systems
      1. Thermohaline circulation
      2. Wind-driven currents
    2. Ocean waves
      1. Surface waves and beaches
      2. Storm surges
    3. Ocean Tides
      1. Astronomical and physical forces generating ocean tides
      2. Tidal measurements and tidal tables
      3. Tidal effects on coasts
  8. Examine critical issues facing the marine environment.
    1. Fisheries
    2. Oil and gas exploration
    3. Mining the ocean floor
    4. Alternative energy and the ocean system
    5. Impact of pollution on the world oceans
    6. The impact of climate change on the ocean system
  9. Explain the role of oceanographic research in resource development, pollution control, national security, and understanding Earth's climate system.
    1. Technology and marine research
      1. Sonar and mapping the seafloor
      2. Marine reflection seismology and oil and gas exploration
      3. Space-based observations of the marine environment
      4. Submersible technology
      5. Remotely operated vehicles studying the ocean floor
    2. Deep ocean drilling program and international cooperation in studying the ocean system
    3. Climate research
Back to Top