Oceanography (U01847)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : GEO-2-OCEAN

Oceanography is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to all branches of Oceanography, namely physical, biological, chemical and geological oceanography, for science students. While introducing the basic principles the course also aims to provide a solid foundation for marine aspects of advanced courses in environmental sciences, geography, sedimentology, marine geology, ecology and meteorology. The course is formally divided into physical, biological, chemical and geological oceanography but the multi-disciplinary nature of ocean sciences is emphasized through out the course by highlighting the links between disciplines.
In this course you will find out about ocean currents, both wind-driven surface currents and deep ocean currents driven by the effects of temperature and dissolved salts on water buoyancy. The oceans play an important part transporting heat from low to high latitudes to maintain a balance in the global heat budget. The biological part reviews the different life forms found in the oceans, looking particularly at issues relating to biological productivity and biological diversity, adaptation of life forms and differences between various marine ecosystems. The chemical part will look at the properties of water, the chemical make up of salt, the distribution of dissolved gases and nutrients in the ocean which are vital for life, and the biological and physical factors that govern thier occurrence. This set of lectures will also tackle how the ocean functions as a self-regulating system while highlighting the unique role the ocean plays in maintaining Earth's climate to be hospitable. Human impact on the marine environment is also discussed. The geological oceanography deals with the structure and the development of ocean basins, their bedrock geology and the influx of sediments. How ocean circulation and climate changes of the past are recorded in ocean sediments and mineral resources are also discussed.

Entry Requirements

? Costs : None

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Earth Science, (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 2nd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 3 hour(s) per week for 6 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
09/01/2007	09:00	09:50	Lecture Theatre 1, Eng Sanderson Building	KB

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	09:00	09:50	KB
Laboratory	Tuesday	14:00	17:00	KB
Lecture	Thursday	11:10	12:00	KB
Lecture	Friday	12:10	13:00	KB

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of the classification of marine organisms and their habitat; Knowledge of Marine food webs their structures and functions; Knowledge of surface and deep Ocean circulation and their driving mechanisms.
Understanding of mechanisms generating ocean bathymetry and sedimentation. Knowledge of the composition of sea water and its properties and understanding of the chemical cycles in the ocean and their evolution. Knowledge of human impacts on marine environments and resources. Understanding of the ocean's role in global change.