GEOG 116 - Oceanography

1. Students will be able to understand, discuss and explore the following key points:
2. What is the relationship between the ocean and Earth system.
3. What processes shape the lithosphere and how do those processes affect ocean basins.
4. How do the properties of water and dissolved salts affect the physical and chemical properties of ocean water.
5. What are the types and sources of sediments that enter the ocean.
6. What role does the ocean play in the long-term average state of the atmosphere.
7. What causes the ocean to circulate and what are the patterns of ocean circulation.
8. What are sea waves and tides and what causes them.
9. Why and in what ways is the costal zone a particularly dynamic and vulnerable portion of the Earth system.
10. What are the basic components and structure of marine ecosystems and what is their source of energy.
11. How have the large and diverse populations of marine organisms adapted to environmental conditions in the ocean.
12. How do interactions between the ocean and atmosphere impact worldwide weather and short-term climate variability.
13. How and why does climate change and how does the ocean participate in and respond to climate change.
14. The future of ocean science.
15. Ocean stewardship.
16. Ocean policy and problems.