ENSC 340 - The Oceans

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-5; Sustainability
An exploration of the interaction of oceans with the earth’s geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Topics include seafloor morphology, coastlines, seawater chemistry, the role the oceans play in controlling weather and climate, marine ecosystems, human impacts and dependence on the oceans.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-5 - Upper Division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning, Overlay - Sustainability
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division GE Area 5 (Areas B1-B3 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Credit Restrictions: Not for Environmental Sciences major credit; not for Geology major credit. Credit only given for one of ENSC 340, GEOL 340, GEOL 341.

Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground or Online-Asynchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Cross-listed: GEOL 340
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

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

Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of oceanography by applying these core ideas and skills:
Explain the dynamic nature of the interrelationships between the oceans and other Earth Systems.
Apply the theory of plate tectonics to the origin, evolution, and features of ocean margins and oceanic crust.
Describe and interpret the causes, effects, and interrelationship of atmospheric processes and the oceans.
Predict the distribution of organisms based on physical and chemical hydrographic data.
Evaluate the contributions of coastal processes such as tides and currents to explain the origins of coastal landforms.
Ability to prepare a public policy argument on human impacts and/or dependence on the oceans.

GE-UD-5. Upper-division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate advanced and/or focused science or quantitative content knowledge in a specific scientific field, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts (such as models, uncertainties, hypotheses, theories, and
Apply advanced quantitative skills (such as statistics, algebraic solutions, interpretation of graphical data) to scientific problems and evaluate scientific claims.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in science to investigate a scientific question or issue.
Apply science content knowledge to contemporary scientific issues (e.g., global warming) and technologies (e.g., cloning), where appropriate.

Sustainability Overlay Learning Outcomes

Discuss multiple dimensions of sustainability, including the scientific, social, cultural, and/or economic.
Analyze interactions between human activities and natural systems.
Describe strategies taken by individuals, communities, organizations, or governments for mitigating and/or adapting to key threats to environmental sustainability.