1. 11:628:320 Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems 2019
Instructors:
Liz Sikes (geochemistry)
Heidi Fuchs (biology)
John Wilkin (physics)
TA: Austin Grubb
Class web site:

2. Lectures will focus on several themes:
Class Philosophy:
Oceanography is an interdisciplinary scientific field. The physics, chemistry and biology are all coupled. Therefore teaching the physics, chemistry, and biology as separate sections does a poor job to explain the how the World Ocean works. We will try hard to explain the physics, chemistry, and biology, while emphasizing the interactions between them.
Lectures will focus on several themes:
Theme 1. Vertical structure of the open ocean
Theme 2: Coastal Upwelling
Theme 3: Equatorial Circulation and El Nino
Theme 4: Land-Ocean Interactions
Theme 5: Global climate system
Theme 6: Acoustics

3. Grading Totals 4 exams: 15% each 60% 4 home works: 5% each 20%
1 review paper: 20% 20%
Exams: Cover the material provided in class. Not cumulative (though concepts may be). Last exam will be on the final day.
Homework: Do them all. Late homework will lose precious points even if only a day late.
Term paper: 1) interdisciplinary topics, 2) must be connected to an aspect covered in the course, 3) must demonstrate linkages between at least 2 disciplines, 4) must use recent (5 years) PRIMARY literature, 5) must get topic cleared with an instructor. Examples: foodweb interactions at shelf/slope front, iron fertilization, CO2 increase and calcified plankton. Be original but not extreme. Reference your work thoroughly (Do NOT plagiarize).
Pop quizzes: Extra credit that gets added to homework points. (These quizzes help US and you.)

4. Home work:
Home work assignments are handed out for each section. The home work might have essays, calculations etc. It will be more than just a short answer. You will have at least a week to do the home work.
Examples of past homework assignments:
Consider the simple 3-box NPZ (nutrient-phytoplankton-zooplankton) model described in class. Question: describe your understanding of each of the numbered terms in the N equation.
Describe the physical, biological and geochemical features that are typical of the major eastern boundary coastal upwelling regions of the world.
Come to class – listen – take notes – ask questions – think – ask more questions – and you will comprehend the interactions between physics, geochemistry and ecology that are so vital to the Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems

5. Attendance: the data

6. We expect you to take notes
Don’t waste time copying slides
Do organize notes for reference to slides
Listen and note important points
Focus on understanding processes
Things we draw on the board are important
Ask questions!

7. Consider Cornell notes system
“Recall column” for memory cues, e.g. quick-sketch graphs or questions
“Notes column” for recording main ideas
”Summary” section for summarizing main points of lecture, ideally right after lecture
The Cornell note-taking method is one of the most effective for reviewing and synthesizing information. If you already have a good system for taking notes, stick with it. But if not, consider trying this Cornell strategy.
Also good to note slide number!

8. Graphing: ocean is 3-dimensional
Standard 3D coordinate system:
x = longitude
y = latitude
z = depth z y x

9. 3 ways of graphing ocean data:
Map view (aka plan view) Data vs. x and y
Vertical profile Data vs. z
Cross section Data vs. x (or y) and z x z x z

10. Surface temperature of the ocean
Latitude
Longitude

11. Surface salinity of the ocean
Latitude
Longitude

12. Vertical profiles of temperature
Depth (m)

13. Vertical profiles of temperature and salinity
z = Depth (m)

14. Vertical cross section of temperature in the Atlantic Ocean
Depth (m)
Temperature
Latitude

15. Latitudinal cross section of salinity in the Atlantic Ocean
Depth (m)
Salinity
Latitude