GEOL 341 - General Oceanography

Units: 4
Interdisciplinary examination of the geologic, chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the oceans. Topics include seafloor morphology, coastlines, seawater chemistry, the role the oceans play in controlling weather and climate, marine ecosystems, ocean circulation, and waves. Lecture Units: 3; Lab Units: 1.

Prerequisites: GEOL 210.
Credit Restrictions: Student cannot earn credit for both GEOL 341 and GEOL 340.

Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground, or Hybrid.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Course Typically Offered: Variable Intermittently

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Lecture Portion: Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of oceanography by applying these core ideas and skills:
Apply the theory of plate tectonics to the origin, evolution, and features of ocean margins and oceanic crust.
Analyze and interpret the origin, distribution, and evolution of ocean sediment.
Describe and interpret the causes, effects, and interrelationship of atmospheric processes and the oceans, including ocean circulation, terrestrial weather patterns and climate change.
Evaluate the contributions of coastal processes such as tides and currents to explain the origins of coastal landforms.
Evaluate society’s impacts on the ocean and the impacts and marine hazards and resources on society.
Laboratory Portion: Discover isostatic relationships using materials of different density.
Describe the important properties of marine sediments.
Experiment with waters of different temperature and salinity to determine how physical properties affect water stratification and mixing.
Examine microscopic and macroscopic marine animals in the field and in the laboratory.