Lecture 1: Introduction to Oceanography

1. Welcome to Oceanography (Geol 21080)
Instructor: Dr. Donna Witter
Tu/Th 11 am - 12:15 pm Bowman 133
Photos: Courtesy of NOAA Photo Library. Clockwise from upper left: Jupiter Inlet FL (Marge Beaver, Photography Plus), Point Lobos CA (Capt. A.E. Thereberge, NOAA Corps), Ship Fairweather (Comdr. G. Tuell, NOAA Corps), tuna (D. Cedrone, UNFAO), Beaufort Sea AK (R. Adm. H.D. Nygren, NOAA Corps), tropical reef (M.Al Momany, NOAA), floating berg (M.Van Woert, NOAA NESDIS), coral reef (NOAA).

2. Course Objectives
Learn principles of geological, chemical, physical and biological oceanography
Emphasize:
(a) relationships among these systems
(b) relationships between the ocean and humans
Gain a more scientific view of the world
Graphics: (top) Kelp forest, S.Fisher, courtesy of National Marine Sanctuaries, (bottom) Ogcocephalus parvus, courtesy of OAR/National Undersea Research Program.

3. Grading
Midterms (best 2 of 3, 26% each)         52%
In-class activities                                     15%
Final Exam                                               36%
Total                                                        103%

In-class activities are related to the lecture topic presented on the day of the activity

4. Exams
Midterms: Non-cumulative
Exam I:         Sept 21     Intro – Seawater
Exam II:        Oct 17       Hot Spots – Greenhouse
Exam III:       Nov 14      Tsunami – Invertebrates
Final Exam (Dec 14): Cumulative
~ 60% “recent” material (Mammals –Fisheries)
~ 40% major concepts from earlier material (Intro – Invertebrates)

In-class exams are multiple choice, except for late arrivals
All make-up exams and late arrivals are essay format

5. Office Hours and Email
Dr. Donna Witter
Ph.D. Oceanography
Office: McGilvrey 235C
Email: dwitter@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-7002
Office Hours: Mon 9:30 – 11:00 am, Wed 1:00 – 2:30 pm, and by appointment
Graphic: The TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite altimeter. Image courtest of NASA Jet Propulsion Lab.

6. Class Resources
Text: Garrison, Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science, 4th or 5th Eds.
- available online and at the bookstore
- copies on 3-hour and 2-day reserve at the library

7. Web site: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~dwitter/oce/f2006/
    Class Schedule and Notes                 Academic Resources
    Study Questions                                  Accommodation Info
    Study Tips                                             Careers in Oceanography
    Grading Policy                                      Careers in Geology
    On-line Access to Grades                  Just for Fun
    Announcements                                  FAQs

8. Class Web Site, http://www.personal.kent.edu/~dwitter/oce/f2006/

9. Class Schedule, Reading, Notes

10. Check Your Grades Online
Posted online via WebCT Visa http://vista.kent.edu/
Logon to WebCT Vista using your university computer account
(youruserid@kent.edu)

11. How To Approach This Course
- Attend lectures, read the text, use web resources
- Use strategies that work with your own learning style
- Focus on understanding concepts
Ask questions during class or office hours
Have fun! Oceanography is exciting!

12. Earth: Ocean Planet
About 70% of Earth's surface is covered by ocean
About 97% of water near the Earth's surface is found in the ocean
Graphic: View of Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew traveling toward the moon, Dec. 7, 1972. Photo courtesy of NASA.

13. What is Science?
A world-view based on observations, experimentation and interpretation
Seeks to uncover natural laws that describe how the universe "works“
Laws are expressed in the physical world as reproducible phenomena
Photo: Dr. J. Ortiz (KSU Dept. of Geology) onboard an oceanographic research vessel.

14. What is Oceanography?
Scientific study of the ocean, its life forms and bordering lands
Branches:
- Marine Geology
- Chemical Oceanography
- Physical Oceanography
- Biological Oceanography
- Ocean Engineering
- Marine Resource Management
Graphic: Soquel Point, CA. Photo courtesy of NOAA. Capt. A.E. Theberge photographer.

15. Marine Geology
Study of:
-Earth's composition and structure
-Marine sediments
-History of Earth's climate
Why it's important...
- Understanding earthquakes
- Mapping the sea floor
- Understanding the history of climate change
Graphic: Lava enters the ocean on Kilauea's southern coast, Oct. 1988. Photo courtesy of USGS.

16. Chemical Oceanography
Study of:
- Ocean's dissolved solids and gases
- Relationships between these and other elements of the ocean environment
Why it's important..
- Chemistry affects ocean circulation and marine life
- Climate is affected by chemical cycling in the ocean
Graphic: Garrison, 3rd Ed., Fig 6.7c.

17. Physical Oceanography
Study of:
- Waves and currents
- Ocean, atmosphere, sea ice interactions
Why it's important...
- Physics affect all aspects of oceanography
- Understanding ocean circulation is essential for deciphering the mysteries of climate change
Graphic: Sea Surface Temperatures, as measured by satellite. Image courtesy of NASA.

18. Biological Oceanography
Study of:
- Nature and distribution of marine life
- Relationships between living and non-living components of the ocean
Why it's important...
- Insight to our own biology
- Oceans are sources of food, commodities, pharmaceuticals
- The ecological health of the oceans is tied to the land
Graphic: Jellyfish and plankton. Photo courtesy of NOAA National Undersea Research Program, M. Youngbluth photographer.