Fall 2011-Earth and Planetary Sciences 01:460:120

Marine Sciences 11:628:120:01

Introduction to Oceanography

Black smokers on a mid-ocean ridge

General Information

Class Location:	Loree 024, Cook Campus
Schedule:	9:15 AM – 10:35 AM (1st period) Tuesday and Friday

Instructor:	Dr. Peter A. Rona
	Marine Sciences Building, Room 204E
	Corner of Dudley Road and College Farm Road,
	Cook Campus
	Telephone: 848-932-3384
	e-mail: parona@rci.rutgers.edu
Office Hours:	Thursday 2:00 - 4:00 or by appointment

Required Text: Essentials of Oceanography, 5^th Edition, 2008, 433 pages or 6^th Edition, 2011, 436 pages by Tom Garrison, Publisher Thomson Brooks/Cole,

Course Description

The great age of ocean exploration is happening now! The course is designed to introduce students to the oceans through methods, rationale, discoveries and relevance to our lives with emphasis on the seafloor. We will learn the basic principles behind the exploration methods, and examine what these methods are revealing about the ocean. Students will experience the discoveries that are changing the way we think about our planet and beyond.

Goals and Objectives

By the end of the course, students will:

*Develop basic knowledge in Earth and marine science.

*Correctly use vocabulary related to marine science and ocean exploration.

*Develop an understanding of how the oceans work.

*Achieve scientific literacy with respect to the oceans that will provide a basis for

understanding marine environmental and resource issues that affect our lives.

Learning Goals: Students taking this course should develop an appreciation of critical thinking and the scientific method, including hypothesis testing. Students should recognize the importance of Earth Sciences in understanding of the physical, social, and economic resources and history of our planet. One example: we would expect that any student successfully completing our courses should be able to critically evaluate scientific issues in earth systems discussed in the popular press.

This course satisfies SAS Core Curriculum Goals:

II A: Areas of Inquiry - Natural Sciences – STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:

e. Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.

f. Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis.

Course Administration

Grade:	Based on examinations and class participation as follows:
	Exam 1 25%
	Exam 2 25%
	Final Exam 40%
	Participation 10%
Make Up Examinations:	No make-up exams will be given without WRITTEN documentation from a Rutgers University Official. Missing an exam without WRITTEN documentation from a Rutgers University Official will result in an F on that exam. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Assignments:	Students are expected to read the assignments and view the related websites specified in the course syllabus BEFORE each class. Class assignments are subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes; if you expect to miss one or two classes, please use the University absence reporting website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me.
Course Materials:	The course will be a combination of lectures, readings, and discussions. Guest lecturers will provide additional expertise and perspective. Students are expected to attend all lectures, take notes, participate in discussions, and ask questions about the course material.

Course Web Sites

The course website is located at:
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~parona

Thomson Brooks/Cole Publishers have provided study web pages that accompany your text.
The primary study webpage is:
http://academic.cengage.com/earthscience/garrison/essentials
From that primary site you can navigate to individual chapter information, study resources and exercises.
Note that we are using the 5th or 6th (new) edition of the text.

Additional web sites will be announced in class.

link to the Course Syllabus