Interaction Plan for ESC 130
Oceanography
Attention: If you are
planning to take this class buy your book from the HCC bookstore. It is the
only location where it is available. Second hand books off the internet will
not have the current study guide that is required.
Course Description
An
introduction to the scientific concepts that provide an explanation to the
formation of oceans and the nature of the global marine environment.
Topics
include: seafloor dynamics and plate tectonic theory, the origin of oceans
basins, the earth beneath the sea, marine sedimentation, properties of
seawater, wind and ocean circulation El Nino weather patterns, waves and tides,
beaches and coasts, coastal habitats, marine ecology and coral reefs.
What to expect
Below you will find many items
from the class syllabus that should help you to determine if you want to take
this class. The class is self directed and a strict work schedule is adhered
to.
Objectives:
To become familiar with the
scientific method through investigation into how things work and relate in the
ocean system.
To understand the oceans’ role
in the global system.
To understand how science is
used to understand the oceans
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory.
Attendance is counted by completion of your weekly assignment. You have a week
for each topic so you must have your assignment in on time or it will not be
accepted. You can miss one assignment, any more and you will be dismissed from
the class with an F* for non attendance. Please contact me if you are having
problems that will not allow you to fulfill the requirements of this class. I
can be very accommodating if given a chance. All problems can be worked out to
some resolution.
List of
Topics
Ocean in the Earth system
Ocean basins and plate tectonics
Properties of ocean water
Marine sediments
Atmosphere and the ocean
Ocean currents
Ocean waves and tides
The dynamic coast
Marine Ecosystems
Life in the ocean
The ocean, atmosphere, and climate variability
The ocean and climate change
Laboratory
You will be required to do two
assignments, Investigations A and B, a week in your Study Guide; these will be
your lab assignments. These are due no later than the following Monday from
when assigned. You will be required to submit the answers online and will be
corrected immediately. You are encouraged to work on these in groups within the
class.
Course Grade
Laboratory 100pts
Based on turned in assignments
Class 400pts
Based on four tests worth 100 points each.
Procedure for evaluating
student performance
The student is capable of
earning 500 points, which will be used to determine a grade based on the system
described in the HCC day catalogue.
Test schedule:
4 tests will be given during
the semester at 3-4 week intervals. Test will be online using the WebCT online
testing function. The test can be taken any time during the week it is
scheduled. You will be responsible for the class as well as the test that week.
Teaching Procedures
Each week you will read the
current chapter and do the two study guide assignments that correlates with the
chapter. The study guide answers are not in the textbook. The study guide is
your lab book and you will need to figure out the answers by experimenting. You
will have access to two web pages for this class, the Weather Studies page and
the interactive WebCT page from HCC.
Class Interactions
WebCT is your way to interact
with the other students and me. I will post announcements to email such as
schedule changes and additional assignments so you should check it daily. I
will also use WebCT to communicate with you individually through email.
Questions you may have for each chapter are to be posted to the WebCT page
bulletin board. Students should try to answer each others questions. If you
have questions directly for me about the assignments or ones which are of a
personal nature use the e-mail in WebCT.
Classroom Disciplinary
Policy:
Holyoke Community College exists to provide educational
experiences of high quality to its students. For that purpose, we have highly
qualified faculty and physical facilities and learning resources of superior
quality. In order to ensure that an environment conducive to teaching and
learning is established, the College expects that individuals within its walls
will treat each other with courtesy and with respect. When differences arise,
these should be resolved in a civil manner. Issues of a personal nature, or
conflicts, should be handled by meeting with instructors or other staff members
outside of class so as not to disrupt classes or take up class time.
Disruptive, disrespectful, hostile, abusive and threatening behavior and
language will not be tolerated. Students behaving in this manner may have
disciplinary action initiated against them, including expulsion from the class
or the college.
Also refer to the College's
disciplinary policy printed in the Student Handbook which refers to acts of
misconduct as:
- dishonesty,
- intentional
obstruction or disruption of teaching,
- conduct
which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person on the
college premises.
- any
conduct in the classroom that detracts from the learning environment