Introduction to Marine Sciences 210   Spring 2007    

University College at Thomaston

354-6909/ 800-286-1594

                                 Instructor: Gretchen Noyes-Hull                                          gnh@cbreton.net

Text: An Introduction to the World’s Oceans, 9^th edition, 2008, K.A Svedrup and E.V. Ambrust; McGraw Hill  ISBN 978-0-07-282701-9

Classes:  9-11:45 Fridays ; Lab 12-2 Fridays  University College Thomaston, Maine

Course Objectives: This course is intended to familiarize students with:

·        The central role of the oceans in the climate and health of this planet

·        The issues that threaten the marine environment

·        The processes that interconnect the physical, chemical geological and biological aspects of the oceans within the Earth System

·        The nature of ongoing marine research in the Gulf of Maine

·        The scientific terminology, technology, and methodology that support that research

·        The variety of contemporary literature relating to oceanographic issues

Course requirements: This course will follow the topics outlined below.  Readings in the text will be supplemented with a variety of assigned readings. Attendance at all classes is expected. As a lot of material will be covered in a short time, students are expected to have completed assigned readings following each class.  Attendance at labs is obligatory, as they can not be rescheduled, and many of which will be field trips..

Grading : Grades will be based on three ‘hour’ tests, a news portfolio, lab reports, and a final paper/presentation ( ‘Science Symposium’). Lab reports (including pre-labs where applicable) are due each week following the lab. Lab reports turned in late are subject to a 20 point reduction in grade. Quizzes may be given at any time on assigned readings. Missed tests can be made up at times set by the office only.  With permission, a test with a grade less than 70% may also be retaken at those times and the two grades will be averaged together. For all writing assignments legibility, clarity, grammar and spelling will be considered in the grading. “Spell-check” is highly encouraged. All writing must be original, with careful documentation given to material quoted from both written and internet sources. (Care should be taken in “cut-and paste” of online resources.) All other use of material will be considered plagiarism, and will not be tolerated.

Final Grades will be calculated as follows:

           Tests and quizzes               50%

           News Portfolio                   10%

           Laboratory reports              20% 

           Report and Presentation      20%

News Portfolio:   Students are required to keep a science news journal throughout the course. Two articles of science and environmental interest, especially those pertaining to the marine environment per week are to be entered into the journal, with proper source citation, and a short commentary for each. News journals will be evaluated a mid-point in the class, and when they are submitted at the end of the term.

         Science Symposium: There will be a ‘science symposium’ on contemporary issues in ocean sciences.  A paper of 5-10 pages on the topic and a visual ‘poster’ presentation to the class of approximately 15 minutes will make up the grade for the project. The science symposium may be done in collaboration with another student with a joint grade to be assigned. The paper, typed with complete bibliography, will be due at the time of the presentation. Topics for the symposium should be chosen by the 9^th week of class.

Week       Date                 Topics                                                                              Text  Readings* 

1)   Jan  19         Introduction:  Ocean and Origins: changing perspectives              Chapter 1,2

                                      Methods, measurements, models and systems 

2)   Jan 26          Evidence from the Deep: Plate Tectonics                                     Chapter 3

3  )  Feb 2          Seafloors and Sediments                                                              Chapter 4

4)  Feb 9           Hour Test;  Magic molecules- water chemistry                             Chapter 5,6    

5)  Feb 16         Moving water: ocean currents                                                      Chapter(7),8,9

Winter  Break                       

6)      March 2       Waves and Tides; The Gulf of Maine                                          Chapter 10,11

7)    March 9       Coastal processes and estuaries                                                 Chapter 12

8)    March 16    Hour Test;  marine ecology                                                         Chapter 14

9)    March 23     Field Trip: Darling Center Benthic Lab (8am)                             Chapter 18      

 Spring Break 

10)  April  6       Ocean Productivity                                                                       Chapter 15,16

11)  April 13      Field Trip to Darling Center : Plankton Lab/ Library (8:30 am)  

12)  April 20       Field Trip to  Bigelow Lab /Department of Marine Resources (9am) 

13)  April 27      "The Commons":   Marine Issues           Chapter 13                                        

14)  May  4       Hour Test/  field trip TBA 

15)  May 11       Science Symposium: poster presentations 

* supplemental readings will be assigned in class