Geology 104: Introduction to Oceanography
Winter 2002
Instructor: Brian
McAdoo, 102 Ely Hall, brmcadoo@vassar.edu, x7703
Office
Hours: Wednesday: 2:00 -3:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00-11:00 AM, and by appointment
Class times: MWF:
9:30-10:20 AM
Required
Text: Introduction
to Ocean Sciences
by
Douglas A. Segar
Suggested
Reading: The Perfect Storm, by Sebastian
Junger. (A great story which delves
into
waves,
meteorology, fisheries, and economics.)
Endurance:
Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing, 1959
(Whoa.
Arguably, the most incredible non-fiction story of ocean exploration and
survival
ever told. Just when you think things
could not get any worse, they do. Read
this
and never complain about cold toes again.
Nothing in this book will be tested, but
if
you get a chance, READ IT!)
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius who Solved
the Greatest Scientific
Problem
of his Time, by Dava Sobel,
1995. (Historical science books tend to
be a bit
dry,
but this particular one is extremely well written. It is a fine example of problem
solving
and the politics involved in getting things done.)
Cod, by Mark
Kurlansky. An interesting book in a
long series that seek to explain why
the world is the way it is using one (fill in the blank with resource, event, invention,
etc…)
Grading: Class
Participation 10%
Final 20%
Discussions 30%
Homework/Labs 40%
The course is naturally separated into three sections:
Geological, Physical, and Biological Oceanography.
At the end of each section, there will be a "discussion" where we review the
material covered.
Students will be evaluated on the quality (not
quantity) of questions you ask the
class and the answers you provide to questions posed.
Highest marks will be given to those questions least easily answered. And remember, there are no stupid
questions.
There will be at
least one mandatory field trip to the beach, rain, snow, or
shine. Trust me, it'll be a hoot.
This class fulfills the quantitative analysis
requirement. Many of the homeworks will
have a significant math section.
BUT HAVE NO
FEAR! The beauty of the earth and ocean sciences is that you have
concrete examples to relate to rather than abstract concepts.
It is my goal to make the assignments clear, but challenging
so that you might actually learn something from doing them.
The discussions may or may not have a quantitative
element, and the final exam (which will be cumulative) certainly will.
Students
with Disabilities. Also note that academic accommodations are
available for students with documented disabilities.
Please schedule an appointment with the instructor
early in the semester to discuss any accommodation that may be needed for the
course.
All accommodations must be approved through the Office
of Disability and Support Services (ext. 7584) as indicated in their
accommodation letter.
Scholarly
Practices. Rewarding classroom experiences- teaching, learning,
and group discussion-depend on close cooperation
between students and faculty and mutual respect
between all members of a class.
The Geology and Geography Department expects you to
contribute to this collective enterprise by attending and participating in
class regularly and by submitting work on time.
Faculty members of the Geology Department believe that
observance of certain basic standards of course participation provides
the necessary framework for achieving the excellence
in undergraduate education that the Vassar tradition represents.
Specifically, students who enroll in courses offered
by the Department are expected to:
·
arrive on time for class;
·
attend class regularly;
·
complete all reading assignments according to the
class schedule;
·
participate actively during class sessions;
·
submit written work on time.
Department faculty members will take specific steps to
set the conditions prerequisite for academic quality.
For example, faculty members in our department may:
·
close the door at the beginning of the class and not
permit late students to enter;
·
include attendance and participation as factors in the
calculation of grades;
·
in the interest of fairness to other students, refuse
to accept work submitted past the deadline
or automatically downgrade assignments that
are accepted late.
Grading
policy. Late assignments will be accepted until the end of the
semester. It is always better to turn
in something rather than nothing.
No points will be deducted if the assignment is turned
in after the end of the class period that it was due, but it will be graded
more critically.
Assignments turned in after the end of the second
class after it was due will be docked one letter grade, and one letter grade
for each class period thereafter.
Our department takes great pride in its work.
The knowledge of a class cannot be made up in a few
desperate hours at the end of the semester; it must accumulate steadily.
These guidelines will help provide an atmosphere of
steady academic accomplishment throughout the semester.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Course Outline
(Subject to adjustment)
Introductions
Jan. 23 Introductions
Jan.
25 Setting the Stage-
History, Significance Chapter
1
Longitude Homework Longitude
Jan.
28 Studying the Oceans Ch.
2
Plate
Tectonics
Jan.
30 Revolution: Plate Tectonics (Nuts and Bolts) Ch. 3
Feb.
1 Plate Tectonics 2 Ch.
3 & 4
Feb.
4 Plate Tectonics
(Proof) Ch.
4
Plate Tectonics Homework
The Seafloor
Feb.
6 Seafloor Bathymetry Ch.
6
Feb.
8 Bathymetry and
Sedimentation Ch.
6
Feb.
11 Submarine
Geomorphology Field, Field and Barber
Landslides
and Hydrates Homework
Feb. 13 Discussion: History, Origins,
Plate
Tectonics, Bathymetry,
and
Sedimentation.
Chemistry
and Physics
Feb.
15 Water Ch.
5
Feb.
18 Chemistry and Ocean
Physics Ch.
5, 7
PCB's in the Ocean Homework
Weather and
Circulation
Feb.
20 Ocean Physics Ch.
7
Feb.
22 Weather Ch.
7
The
Perfect Storm
CC26
Feb.
25 Ocean Circulation Ch.
8
Feb. 27 Circulation Ch.
8
Waves, dude!
Mar.
1 Waves Ch.
9
Hurricane and Waves Homework
Mar.
4 Tsunami TBA
Mar.
6 Really Big Waves Ch.
10
Mar. 8 Discussion: Chemistry, Physics
Weather,
Circulation, and Waves
Mar. 8-24 Spring Break Cod, Endurance
Land-ocean
interface
Mar.
25 Welcome Back: Beaches Ch.
11
Mar.
27 Beaches Ch.
11
Coastal Development Homework
Veggies and
Critters (Biology)
Mar.
29 Introduction to
Biology Ch.
12
Apr.
1 Coasts and Estuaries Ch.
13
Apr.
3 Coasts and Estuaries
Continued Ch.
13
Estuaries Homework
Apr. 5 No Class
Apr. 6 Beach Field Trip
Apr.
8 Ecology Ch.
14
Apr.
10 Ecology and Ecosystems Ch.
14 & 15
Apr.
12 Ecosystems (Reefs,
Vents, etc.) Ch.
15
Invasive
Species Homework
Apr. 15 Extremes:
Poles and Tropics Ch.
15
Apr.
17 Poles and Tropics Endurance
Apr.
19 Discussion: Beaches and Biology
Resources
and Climate Change
Apr.
22 Ocean Resources and
Pollution Ch.
16
Apr.
24 Oil Ch.
16
Exponential Growth Homework
Apr. 26 Climate
Change CC22
Wrap-up
Apr.
29 Summary
May
1 Open
May 3 Open
May
6 Last Class