MNS/GEO307 v.

100825

Marine Science 307/Geoscience 307

Introduction to Oceanography
Fall 2010
Unique Numbers 53930-54000 (MNS 307) and 26635-26705 (GEO 307)

Instructors: Dr. Dong-Ha Min (1st half of the semester)

Department of Marine Science
Office: L318, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas
Phone: (361) 749-6743 fax: (361) 749-6777
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Wayne S. Gardner (2nd half of the semester)

Department of Marine Science
Office: L310 Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas
Phone: (361) 749-6823 fax: (361) 749-6777
Email: [email protected]

Office hours: Wednesdays, 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., JGB 5.322

Digital office hours on Blackboard: Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

LECTURE: Wednesday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., JGB 2.324

Your LAB SECTION meets weekly in JGB 3.204. You must attend the correct
laboratory section (the one for which you are registered) in order to get credit.

Teaching Assistants:
Catalina Cuellar Gempeler [email protected]
Kellie Sue Hoppe [email protected]
Qiyuan Liu [email protected]
Shuting Liu [email protected]
Eva Maria Salas de la Fuente [email protected]

Office: BIO 405

Phone: 512-471-4918

Laboratory Coordinator: Heather A. Herrick [email protected]

Office: BIO 12G
Phone: 512-232-5696

Official course description: Introduction to the sciences of oceanography: geological,

physical, and biological. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one
semester.

Prerequisites: none

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Other course statements: This course may not be counted toward the Bachelor of Arts
degree with a major in geological sciences, the Bachelor of Science in Geological
Sciences (Option I), the Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences (Option II), or the
Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences (Option III).

Course Goal
The primary goal of this course is to foster an appreciation for the ocean and its precious
resources. Additionally, by enhancing their knowledge of ocean processes and marine
resources, students can think critically about the important environmental issues facing
our society including climate change, overfishing, and water pollution.

Course Objective
This course is designed for non-science majors as an introductory and multi-disciplinary
exploration of the marine environment. We will explore the physical, chemical,
geological, and biological processes that influence ocean characteristics and discuss how
the ocean directly influences human society including its connections with climate,
ecology, and coastal economics.

Textbook
An Introduction to the World’s Oceans, 10th edition, by Sverdrup and Armbrust (ISBN-
13 9780073376707). Here are the textbook web sites, where you can find study guides,
additional links, etc.
http://catalogs.mhhe.com/mhhe/viewProductDetails.do?isbn=0073376701
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073376701/
The online or downloadable version can be accessed from:
http://www.coursesmart.com/007727279X

Also, you must purchase a course packet for the laboratory at the UT Copy Center in
Welch Hall, WEL 2.228.

Course web site

The Blackboard site for this class (see https://courses.utexas.edu) will be used
extensively. Copies of PowerPoint slides presented in lecture and laboratory sections will
be posted here for you to print and take notes on. We will also post the syllabus,
announcements, study guides, grades of pre-lecture assignments and clicker quizzes on
the site.

Every week, beginning August 25, you will be required to complete a pre-lecture quiz
on Blackboard. Each quiz will consist of five multiple-choice questions about the
chapter(s) you will study that week. Also, one of the questions will be asked from one of
the previous the Science and the Sea radio/podcast episodes
(http://scienceandthesea.org). Each week’s quiz will be available on Blackboard (look
under “Assignments”) beginning at noon on Sunday. You must complete each week’s quiz
by 12:00 noon on Wednesday. The assignment is open book and you can take as long as
you need to complete it (except that it needs to be done by the deadline). Make sure you
click “submit” at the bottom of the page when you are done. Without this step your

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answers are not processed as “Submitted” but stay as “In Progress”. Please do not forget
to complete the quizzes because they offer easy points!!

Support for using Blackboard is provided by the ITS Help Desk (FAC200-B) at 475-
9400, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Finally, you are required to purchase an i>clicker remote for in-class quiz participation.
i>clicker is a response system that allows you to respond to questions we pose during
class, and you will be graded on that feedback and/or your in-class participation. In order
to receive this credit, you will need to register your i>clicker remote online within the
first two weeks of class. You must have come to class at least once and voted on at least
one question in order to complete this registration properly. Once you have voted on a
question in the class, go to http://www.iclicker.com/registration. Complete the fields with
your first name, last name, student ID, and remote ID. Your student ID should be your
UTEID. The remote ID is the series of numbers and sometimes letters found on the
bottom of the back of your i>clicker remote. i>clicker will be used every day in class,
and you are responsible for bringing your remote daily. Some students forget to register
even after they have purchased and even used the remote in the class, causing extra work
and confusion to the instructors. There may be a penalty for those students after a few
reminders.

“i>clicker”
We will be using an in-class response system called “i>clicker”. You are required to
purchase a clicker at the Co-Op (New $38.35, Used $28.75) and register it through the
i>clicker web site. There is no separate registration fee. Here’s how:

1. Log on to i>Clicker web site (http://www.iclicker.com).

2. Click “REGISTER”.
3. Enter your (1) First name, (2) Last name, (3) Student ID (your UTEID), and (4)
Clicker ID (from the back of your remote).
4. Click “SUBMIT”.

Each week, at various points during lecture, we will ask several questions to which you
will respond using your clickers. Your participation in these in-class quizzes will be
graded as follows:

A. If you bring your clicker, and answer more than 75% of the questions, you
will receive full credit (10 points). If you do not answer more than 75% of the
questions, you will receive half credit (5 points).
B. If you bring your clicker but it does not work, or if you forget your clicker
entirely, you can receive 50% credit by signing your full name and providing
your UTEID on a signup sheet (You may receive zero credit for the particular
session if it happens more than 3 times during the semester).
* Note, you must purchase the clicker and register it. If you do not purchase
and register a clicker, you will receive no credit for in-class quizzes.
* Note, we will start to use the clickers from the first class meeting.

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Always remember to bring your clicker and extra batteries (AAA).

Problems with your clicker? Call the ITS Help Desk (FAC200-B, 475-9400), DIIA
support (888-938-8881), or i>Clicker’s tech support line (1-866-209-5698,
[email protected]). What if you bought a used clicker but the serial number on the
back is missing? What if your clicker seems to have a problem? There is a spare receiver
at the ITS Help Desk on which you can test your remote. The CO-OP store also has one.

Course Requirements and Grading

Your grade for the course will be determined as follows:
25% - Midterm exam (2-hour exam on first half of course: Chs. 1-9)
25% - Final exam (2-hour exam on second half of course: Chs. 10-18)
10% - Blackboard Pre-lecture assignments (see description above)
10% - In-class clicker quizzes (see description above)
30% - Laboratory Average

The lab grade in turn is determined as follows:

80% - Lab Assignments (quizzes and weekly lab exercises)
20% - Laboratory Practical

More information on lab grading is given in the Lab Manual and will be explained in
detail by your TA on the first day your lab section meets.

Final letter grades for the course will be assigned as follows, after rounding numerical
grades to half-numbers (Note: new grading system as of Fall 2009)
A : 93 and above C : 70 – 74.5
A-: 90 – 92.5 C-: 60 – 69.5
B+: 86 – 89.5 D+: 52 – 59.5
B : 83 – 85.5 D : 45 – 52.5
B-: 80 – 82.5 D-: 40 – 44.5
C+: 75 – 79.5 F : less than 40

Exceptions to these grades will not be made after the final exam has been graded, unless
a grading error, by the professor or teaching assistant, is verified. Extra credit to improve
grades will not be allowed.

Missed work
All missed quizzes (pre-lecture quizzes and in-class clicker quizzes) will receive a grade
of zero. In the case of an anticipated, valid absence from a lab or exam, for example a
religious holiday or university-sponsored event in which your participation is required,
you must inform your TA and arrange for make-up work at least two weeks in advance.
An unanticipated absence from the midterm or final exam for documented, valid (e.g.,
medical, family emergency) reasons can be made up if the instructors are informed within
24 hours.

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The University of Texas Honor Code

The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom,
leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is
expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect
toward peers and community (University Honor Code:
http://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi09-10/ch01/index.html).

Academic Integrity
We encourage you to discuss course material in and outside of class; this includes
consulting with your neighbors during in-class clicker questions. However any work
turned in under your name must represent your own efforts; cheating and plagiarism in
any form will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be familiar with definitions of
scholastic dishonesty, standards of conduct, and the discipline processes of the
University. Please see the Student Judicial Services web site
(http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/) for more information, and don't hesitate to ask us if
you have any questions about your own or others’ conduct.

University E-mail Notification Policy

(excerpted from http://www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.html)
It is the responsibility of every student to keep the University informed of changes in his
or her official e-mail address. Consequently, e-mail returned to the University with "User
Unknown" is not an acceptable excuse for missed communication. Students are expected
to check e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University-
related communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time-critical. It
is recommended that e-mail be checked daily, but at a minimum, twice per week.

Official University communications sent by e-mail are subject to the same public
information, privacy and records retention requirements and policies as other official
University communications.

Religious Holy Days

By UT Austin policy, you must notify us of your pending absence at least fourteen days
prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an
examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you
will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after
the absence.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations
for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Division of
Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities (Office of
the Dean of Students) at 471-6259, or 471-6441 TTY
(http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/). In other words, students with disabilities
who need special accommodations need to get a letter documenting their disability from
the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office of the Office of the Dean of
Students. This letter must be provided to the instructors as soon as possible. We will

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make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Prohibition of Sexual Harassment of Students

It is the policy of the University of Texas at Austin to maintain an educational
environment free from sexual harassment and intimidation. Sexual harassment is
expressly prohibited and offenders are subject to disciplinary action
(http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/catalogs/gen-info/appD.html). The Office of the
Dean of Students has been given the primary responsibility for responding to questions
about and receiving complaints of sexual harassment of students.

Emergency Evacuation Policy

Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to
evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement
requires exiting and assembling outside. Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each
classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not
be the one you used when entering the building. Students requiring assistance in
evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. In
the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. Do not
re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department,
The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.

Lecture schedule, topics, and reading assignments

Date Topic Instructor Reading (textbook)

Aug. 25 Introduction to the course, The Earth and Dr. Min Ch. 2
its oceans: basics
Sep. 01 History of oceanography Dr. Gardner Ch. 1
Sep. 08 Plate tectonics and the shapes of the Dr. Min Ch. 3
ocean basins
Sep. 15 The sea floor: what's on the bottom? Dr. Min Ch. 4
Sep. 22 Seawater: properties and composition Dr. Min Chs. 5 and 6
The structure and motion of the
Sep. 29 atmosphere: what drives ocean Dr. Min Ch. 7
circulation?
Oct. 06 Ocean circulation Dr. Min Chs. 8 and 9
Oct. 13 Midterm exam Dr. Min
Oct. 20 Waves and tides Dr. Min Chs. 10 and 11
Oct. 27 Coasts, beaches, and estuaries Dr. Gardner Ch. 12
Nov. 03 Environmental concerns Dr. Gardner Ch. 13
Nov. 10 Rules to live by: life in the ocean Dr. Gardner Chs. 14 & 15
Nov. 17 Just driftin' along: marine plankton Dr. Gardner Ch. 16
Life at the top: fishes, marine mammals,
Nov. 24 Dr. Gardner Ch. 17
and other big critters
Dec. 01 Life on the bottom: the benthos Dr. Gardner Ch. 18

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Dec. 8-
Final Exam (time TBA) Dr. Gardner
11, 13-14

Laboratory schedule

Week Laboratory
August 23 - 27 NO LABS
Aug. 30 – Sep. 03 LAB 1: Navigation
September 06 – 10 LAB 2: Bathymetry
September 13 – 17 LAB 3: Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
September 20 – 24 LAB 4: Beach Profiles and Sediment Characteristics
Sept. 27 – Oct. 01 LAB 5: Physical and Chemical Properties of Sea Water
October 04 – 18 LAB 6: Ocean Circulation
October 11 – 17 LAB 7: Waves and Tides
October 18 – 22 LAB 8: Marine Biological Processes and Trophic
Relationships
October 25 – 29 LAB 9: Plankton and Introduction to Taxonomy
November 01 – 05 LAB 10: Fishes and Adaptations to the Marine
Environment
November 08 – 12 LAB 11: Benthos - Bottom Dwelling Invertebrates
November 15 – 19 LAB 12: Fisheries and the Fish Banks Game
November 22 – 26 NO LABS – Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 29 – Dec.03 LAB PRACTICAL - last week of classes
** NO LABS on Mondays

Additional information regarding important University dates/deadlines and final

exams is posted in the syllabus section on Blackboard.

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