Geology 330 -- Oceanography Class - Spring 2019

Course description:	The course will provide an introduction to the basic principles and practices of oceanography. Topics will be presented in terms of the applications of physics, geology, chemistry, and biology to a study of the world's oceans. Specific topics will include planetary science and earth origin, the geologic timescale, geography and location systems, matter, marine provinces, sediments, seismology, plate tectonics, seawater composition, geochemical distributions, deep ocean circulations, winds and surface circulation, waves, tides, estuarine environment, biological production, nekton, plankton, and benthic organisms.
Student Learning Outcomes	SLO#1: Apply the scientific method to evaluating Earth processes. SLO#2: Evaluate temporal rates and spatial scales of Earth process. SLO#3: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate past, present, and future changes on Earth. SLO#4: Assess how Earth processes affect the physical environments and resources of living organisms, and analyze evidence that living organisms have changed their physical environments. SLO#5: Determine the kinds and degrees of interaction between between the atmosphere and the ocean and between the solid earth and ocean.
Class time:	Tuesday, Thursday, noon-1:20 p.m., SCI 109.  Last day of class May 14 The final is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21,  from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m.
Instructor:	Hiram Jackson Office: SCI 111 tel: (916) 691-7605 (rollover to voice mail) e-mail: jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu
Office hours:	Monday/ Tuesday/Thursday: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8 to 9 a.m. Friday: 11-noon (on selected Fridays, to be announced) or by appointment, room SCI 111 Please see my class schedule for more information as to when I may be available.
Textbook:	Essentials of Oceanography, 12th edition by Alan Trujillo & Harold Thurman is available for sale from the bookstore. You will also need to purchase a publisher's access code to do homework assignments and activities. It is also available at the reserve desk of the library for short term, 2 hour check out.
Exams:	There will be midterms on February 19, March 14, and April 4, and a final on Tuesday, May 21 from 12:45-2:45 p.m.  Students who typically participate in the course outside of class may have the option to take the exam through the testing center.  Please follow instructions at this link.
Time expectations:	You may expect that this class will require, on average, about 3 hours of outside study for each hour of class lecture for the average student to receive an average grade (C or B).  Efficient, effective studying can reduce some of that study time.  If you feel the need to improve your study skills, please consult your academic counselor.
Homework:	Homework is assigned regularly and is due the following class period.
Makeup policy:	You must contact me before noon on the scheduled day of an exam if you must miss an exam. Please briefly explain the nature of your absence, and when you expect to be able to make it up. Please be aware that I will not return graded exams until all makeups have been given. I generally expect makeups to be taken within a week of the scheduled exam (a test given on a Tuesday will have all make-ups done before class on the following Tuesday).
Attendance Policy:	Excessive absences you risk understanding the class material, not being able to do well on exams, or being dropped from the class roster.  If you must be absent, please leave a message indicating what the nature of your absence is, and what arrangements you can make to make up the necessary work.  Attendance is monitored by a sign-in sheet for in-person students, and by call-in for home viewers.  If I find that a student has been absent three or more times without checking in with me to explain what is going on, I reserve the right to drop that person.  Please note that at least two unexplained absences during the first two weeks of the semester may result in being dropped, owing to the number of students trying to enroll from the wait list.
Cheating:	You may collaborate on homework assignments, but you are expected to turn in your own work.  You are to take all exams based on what you remember from studying (no notes, textbooks, or anything else will be available).  Anyone caught cheating may face one or more of the following penalties: no grade for the assignment, an F for the course, probation or suspension from the college.  Plagiarism is also a category of cheating that may be punished in the same manner mentioned above. Please consult the CRC Honor Code here for further related discussion.
Grading:	Homeworks: 30% Midterm & paper: 50% Final:  20% Extra credit assignment Grades will be calculated on the following scale: 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, <60  oops! There is no curving of grades for individual assignments.  Final grades might be curved at my discretion, but at a minimum, the above grade intervals are guaranteed. At any time, current individual grades are available from the gradebook option on Canvas. Grades are a measure of your performance on assignments and tests in this class.  We hope that this measure of performance shows how well you understand and master the class material.  If you have comments or suggestions, please contact me.
Grade Discrepancies:	If you feel that I have made a mistake in calculating your grade, please see me.  Please save your tests and homework if you wish to bring a grade discrepancy to my attention.
Field trip:	There is no formal or required field trip for this class, however I may suggest an optional field trip in conjunction with an optional project.
Classroom  environment:	Please end all private conversations once class begins.   Arrive on time to class.  If you arrive late, please enter quietly and take a seat near the door. If you must leave early, please tell me before class that you will leave early and take a seat near the door.  Please also turn off all cell phones, watch alarms, and pagers during class.  Please do not eat food during class.  Please respect your fellow classmates in their efforts to learn the material (no disrespect, raise hands for questions).

Last update 1/21/2019
Webpage designed by Hiram Jackson.
Contact Geology webmanager, Hiram Jackson, at jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu