MARS 120: Introduction to Physical Oceanography Dr. Joe Gorga Office: ST 269 (x6817) MW T 9:30 – 10:30, or By Appointment Textbook: Introductory Oceanography 10 th Edition Website:

Class Objectives To introduce the you to the basic principles and processes essential to oceanography You will need to learn the fundamental concepts of oceanography, and be able to make connections between subjects using critical thinking We will focus on: – geology of the of ocean basins –Physical and chemical properties of seawater –Air-sea interactions –Currents –Waves/Tides –Coastal Processes –Paleoceanography

Class Grades Grading Policy: Lecture: Midterm Exams (3)100 points each Final Exam (non-cumulative)100 points Homework and Participation50 points Total Lecture Points450 points Total Lab Points:250 Points Total Course Points700 points Grades will be based on a scale of: A= 90 – 100%, B= 80 – 90%, C= 70 – 80%, D= 60 – 70% and F= <60%. You must pass both the Lab and Lecture in order to pass the course

Why Study The Ocean?

Oceanography The study of the marine environment Oceans provide: food, medicines, raw materials, used for recreation, supports tourism –Estimated ocean’s living systems are worth over $20 trillion

Scientific Method Inquiry: a search for information and explanations focusing on a specific question Descriptive Science: describes nature as accurately as possible –Inductive reasoning: go from specific to general Hypothesis-based Science: what are the natural causes and explanations of the observations we see –Must propose and test a hypothesis –Deductive reasoning: reasoning flows from general to specific

Scientific Method 1.Observation Careful; Include as many parameters as possible Observations  Induction  Hypothesis 2.Hypothesis Possible cause Reflect past experience (educated guess) Multiple (consider alternative explanations) Testable Falsifiable 3.Prediction Hypothesis/Principle  Deduction  Prediction 4.Experiment Experimental group, Control group, Replication 5.Results/Interpretation 6.Scientific Theory

Scientific Method: Case Study

Scientific Method Field Observations vs. Controlled Experiments 1.Field Observations (in situ) Natural setting Uncontrolled variables Examples? 2.Controlled Experiment (usually ex situ) Fewer uncontrolled variables Test one or a few variable(s) at a time Artificial setting (especially ex situ)

Scientific Method