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


	Attention Attention: This is a brick and click course. Labs will be taught on campus. Class work and tests will be online


	Ocean in the Earth system 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