Geography 104 Introductions, course content and philosophy Title: “Physical Geography of the World’s Oceans” (intro to oceanography) Instructor: Dr. Carter Ohlmann, (Researcher at ICESS) TA’s: James Watson, Brett Hartman, Kristin Landgren Brief Description: Overview of many facets of physical oceanography to become “ocean- literate”. Ocean literacy is necessary for understanding the influence of various activities on the ocean and climate, so informed policy is implemented.

Course Content: Oceanography is an interdisciplinary science: - physics: dynamics of ocean, response to forces - biology: life in sea, ocean effects on terrestrial life - chemistry: seawater composition, bio-geochemical cycling - geology: changing solid earth, ocean basins - meteorology: air-sea interactions Course will deal largely with physical processes. Will talk about how physical processes interact with biology, chemistry, geology, and meteorology Since this is a geography course we will talk about maps and navigating Emphasis on understanding principles/concepts rather than memorizing facts Not a math or physics course – but will use some algebra and geometry Please ask questions - don’t be hesitant to ask a “dumb question”

Textbook: Exploring the World’s Ocean Sean Chamberlin and Tommy Dickey - covers a little of a lot - relates oceanography to society and includes recent technologies - a number of errors exist Will cover chapters (subject to change): 1. Introducing the world ocean – read for background 2. World ocean origins – may use some figures 3. Plate tectonics theory and evidence – limited reading 4. Seafloor features – all 5. Ocean sediments – some illustrations, limited reading 6. Ocean chemistry – all 7. Ocean physics – all 8. The ocean and the atmosphere – all 9. Surface and deep circulation – all 10. Ocean waves – all 11. Ocean tides and sea level – all 16. Future explorations – read for background

Course Topics: Position measurement, navigation Sea floor, ocean depths Water and seawater Vertical ocean structure Water Masses Solar radiation and heat budget Coriolis force Atmospheric circulation Mixed layers Ekman transport

Course Topics Continued: Wind-driven circulation Geostrophic flow Upwelling Western boundary currents Mesoscale eddies Thermohaline circulation Deepwater formation El Niño-Southern Oscillation Waves Tides Special topics

Students in this class: - freshmen to 5 th year seniors - geography, environmental studies, biology, engineering, social sciences Challenging class to teach given the wide background of students Lectures: - try to make them fun (occasionally) by doing some experiments Office hours: - please attend if you have questions Discussion sections: - 3 discussion sections - can go to any, or all, or no discussion sections

Reader: - available at Grafikart in Isla Vista - first part is a collection of articles on various important focus topics - second part is a set of graphics used in class; saves on note taking - bring reader to each class, if possible

Homework, Exams and Grading: - 4 homework assignments = 30% of grade - homework handed out about every other week - late homework can be turned in anytime, lose 30% - group work OK on homework (not on exams!) - each person must turn in her/his own assignment - need name on homework to receive credit Midterm = 30% of grade - given 5 th or 6 th week - ~50% multiple choice, ~50% problems Final = 40% of grade - given Friday, 12 December, 12:00 – 3:00 pm, NH ~50% multiple choice, ~50% problems - cumulative - both midterm and final will have questions from articles

Readings for next time (navigation): - Read Chapter 1 “Introducing the World Ocean”; Appendix 5 “Reading Maps”; article “What do college students know about the ocean” - Familiarize yourself with Appendices (error in exponents in Appendix 2) - Think about the ocean, what you know and don’t know. Turn in one sentence indicating what you might want to learn about the ocean Add codes: Kathy Davis, Geography Undergraduate Programs Assistant