Geology 328/528: Oceanography: Spring 2012 (3 Credits)

Office hours: 1:30-2:30 W; 1:30-2:30 Thurs.; 4:10-5:00 PM F, and by appointment or chance.

Lecture Schedule: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 3:00-4:00 PM, Harrington Hall 217.

Important Dates:
Last day to drop without Late Drop Appeal: March 14.
Spring Break: March 18-25.
Last day of classes: May 11.
Graduation: May 12.

Required all-day field trip to Shedd Aquarium, Saturday March 3, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Grade scale: 93% and up = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 69-72 =C-; 66-68 = D+; 63-65 = D; 60-62 = D-; <60% = F

Graduate credit: Students enrolled in 528 (graduate credit) must meet with the instructor to plan, develop and complete an additional research project.

Required text*: Garrison, T., 2010, Oceanography**: Brooks/Cole, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, California, seventh edition. *The previous edition of this text is also acceptable.

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to give you a broad understanding of how the Earth’s oceans formed and the role they play in the global geologic, climatologic, and biologic systems. Oceans cover more than 70% of the total Earth’s surface and they contain the world’s largest mountain chains, and yet they remain, to a large degree, unexplored; the oceans are the “final frontier” on Earth. Life first appeared in the oceans 3.5 billion years ago, and the history of life and evolution is largely written in marine sediments. The oceans are responsible for the development of a global climate favorable for the existence of life as we know it, and they continue to play the pivotal role in determining how the Earth’s climate will change in the future. Understanding how the Earth works is critical to make land use and global political decisions. For all of these reasons, study of Oceanography is part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. It is your responsibility as an educated member of a democracy to have a basic understanding of how the world works in geologic terms, as well as an understanding of social, political, and societal aspects of the world.

Attendance: Attendance is required. Please feel free to ask questions at any time, including during lecture; however, disruptive behavior, including talking during lecture & text messaging, is not acceptable and will result in a lower course grade. If you have a valid excuse and must miss an exam, contact me BEFORE the exam date. If you have a valid excuse, you may take a makeup exam.

Special Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities. Please contact Disability Services (424-3100 (voice) or 424-1319 (TTY)) or visit their web site at http://www.uwosh.edu/dean/disabilities.htm for the University’s accommodation request form and documentation requirements. Information related to an individual’s accommodation request will be kept confidential.

Academic Integrity: The Wisconsin Administrative Code states: “Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others academic endeavors.” (§ UWS 14.01) Plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct are serious offenses with severe penalties. See the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code for definitions of academic misconduct and details about procedures, sanctions, and other relevant information. Specific questions about the provisions in the Student Discipline Code should be directed to the Dean of Students Office. If you do not understand this statement, please see me as soon as possible.

Here is a link to additional resources to review, grammar, math, and the sciences.

* refers to chapters and pages in: Garrison, T., 2010, Oceanography: Brooks/Cole, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, California, seventh edition.