MSCI 101: Introduction to Oceanography

 

MSCI 101 – Introduction to oceanography (4) Oceanic evolution/origin.  Plate tectonics, ocean circulation, chemical composition, primary production. Three lectures and three laboratory hours per week.  Scheduled field trips are required.  

 

Marine science is inherently integrative, encompassing four main scientific sub-disciplines:  biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography.  Therefore, in order to understand the oceans and become a marine scientist, one must first know the fundamental concepts within each of these areas. This course is part of a two class series.  In MSCI 101, we will focus more on the physical aspects of Marine Science where as MSCI 102, will focus in depth on biology.  By the end of this semester, you should have a basic understanding of the principles underlying marine science and have a solid foundation on which to pursue your upper level courses.  You should be able to relate the information that you have learned to recent oceanographic discoveries, current issues, and environmental problems.  Finally, this course should provide you with a clear definition of the field of marine science and the wonderful opportunities that exist within it.  Take the time to become involved in your classes and the exciting research projects that are ongoing within the Marine Science Program.  Be involved, ask questions, and think beyond what I talk about in lecture!

 

Text:  Oceanography.  An Introduction to Marine Science, by Tom Garrison

Introduction to Oceanography Lab Manual: MSCI 101, by Hardee and Benitez-Nelson

            Papers from the literature and handouts.

 

Grading:         Three 1 hour exams (lowest grade dropped)               30 % (15 % each)

                        Final Exam                                                                  20 %

                        Lecture Homework (lowest grade dropped)               15 %

                        Laboratory quizzes and reports                                   30 %

                        Attendance                                                                  5 %     

 

Field Trip (required!):  Huntington Beach State Park.

 

 

Course Outline 

  1. Introduction and history of Marine Science

Careers in Marine Science, misconceptions and preconceptions

First Scientific Expeditions (early Polynesians, Challenger)

            Lab 1:  Introduction to the Course, Navigation, Bathymetry and GPS.

  1. Plate tectonics

Formation and basic structure of the Earth

The layered Earth

Introduction to ocean basin features

Seafloor spreading

Plate boundaries

Hot Spots

            Labs 2 & 3: Minerals and Rocks

  1. Continental margins and ocean basins

Bathymetry and basic topography

            Lab 4:  Bottom Introduction to the seafloor and plate tectonics

  1. Sediments

Size classes, classification, transport

Distribution and the sedimentary record

            Lab 5:  Seafloor spreading and Data analysis

  1. Ocean structure

The water molecule

Heat Capacity

Water temperature and density

            Introduction to thermohaline circulation

                        Lab 6:  Thermohaline/Circulation Lab

  1. Seawater chemistry

Constituents of seawater (sources, sinks and distributions)

Conservative versus non conservative behavior

Effects of salinity on water properties (e.g. density)

Residence times

Dissolved gases

Carbonate buffer system and pH (Revelle factor and C02)

            Lab 7:  Salinity and dissolved oxygen 

  1. Ocean and atmospheric circulation

Heat budgets

            High/low pressure

            Hadley cells, wind bands

            Coriolis, hurricanes   

Wind driven circulation

major ocean currents

Coriolis, Ekman pumping, geostrophic flow, upwelling

Thermohaline circulation revisited (T-S-r diagrams)
            Lab 8: Surface currents and Hurricanes

  1. Introduction to Primary Production/Biogeochemical cycles

Phytoplankton and zooplankton

Interaction of light, nutrients, mixed layer

Photosynthesis (CO2 and O2), respiration, redox chemistry

Trophic dynamics, food web (Intro to microbial loop versus export production)

Hydrothermal vent communities and anoxic basins (chemosynthesis)

            Lab 9: Nutrients and Productivity

  1. Waves and tides

Descriptions, properties

Generation and propagation

Tide theory and patterns (moon versus the sun)

            Lab 10: Waves and Coastal Processes

  1. Coasts and coastal processes

Estuary circulation and evolution

Sediment transport and accumulation

Beaches

            Sand spits

            Barrier islands

Anthropogenic impacts

            Lab 11:  Field Trip

Lab 12:  Tidal Pattern Discovery and Tide Charts

  1. Oceans and climate change

Greenhouse gases

El Nino, La Nina

Fe fertilization