Oceanography (GEOL 130) Syllabus Page 1 of 3

Oceanography (GEOL 130) Syllabus Page 1 of 3 Spring 2014

Geology 130 – Oceanography Syllabus – Spring 2014 Section 1: MWF 11:00 – 11:50 A.M. MND 1005 Section 2: MWF 12:00-12:50 P.M. SQU 301

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Pickell email: [email protected] Office Hours: Wed & Fri 1-2PM or by appointment

Sec01 TA: TBA Sec02 TA: TBA email : email : Office Hours: Office Hours:

Oceanography This course is designed to acquaint you with the 71% of our planet covered by water. We know surprisingly little about the ocean, however, as technology advances, new discoveries are being made almost every day. My goal is to provide you with a working knowledge of oceanographic processes, how it impacts global climate and human activity – and vice versa. We will discuss not only the latest information about the ocean, but how we get this information and explore the oceans. Course Objectives After completing this course, you should be able to: . Explain how oceans form and how water and nutrients circulate . Explain the unique properties of water & seawater . Understand ocean currents and how they relates to atmospheric circulation . Describe the variety of life in the ocean . Explain how oceans impact climate and life . Discuss how fragile the ocean is and what the future of the ocean may be Catalog Description GEOL 130. Oceanography. Survey of geological, physical, chemical and biological oceanography including the sea floor; waves, tides, currents; the physical and chemical properties of sea water and their distribution in the sea; planktonic life and its relation to nutrients. (3 units) Format This class will combine lecture and in-class discussion. Required Text You are required to have a reasonably up-to-date introductory oceanography text. Any oceanography book published in the last 3-4 years will do, including earlier editions of the recommended text. I will, however, be using examples and illustrations from the recommended text. Recommended Text Essentials of Oceanography, 10th OR 11th ed. by Tujillo and Thurman, Pearson Higher Education, ISBN-13 978-0-321-66812-7. SacCT (Blackboard) Oceanography (GEOL 130) Syllabus Page 2 of 3 Spring 2014

Online material for this course, such as course information, homework assignments, quizzes, lecture slides and grades will be available through SacCT. You can login to SacCT at http://online.csus.edu. In order to access the course website you will need a saclink account. If you do not have a saclink account you can get one by going to https://www.saclink.csus.edu/saclink/, clicking on “register” and following the instructions. Writing Requirement This is an upper-division General Education course. As such, you will do a considerable amount of writing in this course (about 1500 words). Tests, homework and in-class assignments will require written answers. Your writing should be clear, well organized, contain complete well-constructed sentences, and provide responses that are relevant and appropriate to the assignment. Poorly written responses will lower your grade on assignments and tests. Grading Breakdown & Requirements In-class participation/group discussions/assignments & homework 24% Quizzes 1, 2, 3 (on Blackboard) 6% Tests (3 @ 23.33% each) 70%

In-class participation/group discussions/assignments & homework (24%) - This is an interactive course, including Group Work/In-Class Assignments & Discussions (7%) - There will be several in-class assignments throughout the semester where students will provide written responses to questions that will be turned in for grading and attendance/participation points. Additionally, during each class I will occasionally call on randomly selected students to respond to questions or discussion points. If I call on a student who does not respond, the student will be marked absent and their grade will be affected. In-class participation in discussions and questions is required. - Homework (15%) – will be assigned frequently & vary from quiz-like questions to short essays. Most of the homework assignments will be given online through SacCT. The due date for homework will be clearly stated in class and online. Late homework will not be accepted. Note: I will drop (ignore) your lowest homework score when I compute the course grade. - Current topics in Oceanography (2%) - Presented in front of class or written & submitted electronically; Find an ocean-related article of interest from a news source (online or print) & either: 1. present a summary of the findings to the class (2 minute presentation max!) OR 2. write a full page summary of the findings, and email it to me.

Quizzes (6%) There will be 3 quizzes that will be taken online throughout the course. These will serve as a ‘review’ tool for the tests. They will be posted and submitted on blackboard. Tests – 70% (3 @ 23.33%) There will be three tests: 2 will be during the term & 1 during finals week, each test will cover a limited amount of material. Optional Comprehensive Final . All students will have an opportunity to improve their course grade by taking a one-hour comprehensive final exam. If you choose to take the final exam it can be used to replace any single previous exam grade, including a test you may have missed. Oceanography (GEOL 130) Syllabus Page 3 of 3 Spring 2014

. If your score on the comprehensive final is lower than the test score you are replacing, it will not be counted. That is, taking the final exam cannot hurt your course grade. . The optional comprehensive final will be given on during the second hour of the Final Exam period Comments on Tests . Tests will consist of multiple choice & short answer questions. . Students should bring a blank scantron (#4521, large blue) form & pencils to each test. . **Makeup tests will not be given for any reason. If you miss an exam you will be given a score of 0, and will need to take the comprehensive final to replace that score. . Letter grades will be based on a scale no more severe than the following: A 90%–100% B 80%–89% C 70%–79% D 55%–69% F <55% Grades may be designated a + or -, if the percentage score is within 2% of the adjacent grade level. Academic Honesty: I encourage you to confer with other students during in-class activities, while doing your homework and studying for exams. However, all of your written work must be your own – plagiarism & cheating is dishonest, and we expect you to act with integrity in completing all assignments and tests. Instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with harshly, with consequences that range from a zero for the assignment to a grade of F in the course and a referral to the Office of Student Affairs for disciplinary action. Classroom Conduct . I will make every attempt to conduct this course in a scholarly, responsible way and treat students and visitors with respect. I expect the same behavior from students in the class. . **Absolutely no cell phones, laptops, iPads, iPods, walkie-talkies, beepers, or any other technology are to be used in class because I have found them to be distracting to myself and other students.** . If you must leave class early, let me know before hand and please sit near the exit. . Appropriate questions are always welcome during class. . If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD). For more information please visit the SSWD website (http://www.csus.edu/sswd/). They are located in Lassen Hall 1008 and can be contacted by phone at (916) 278-6955 (Voice) (916) 278-7239 (TDD only) or via email at [email protected]. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class early in the semester.