Week 1

 

*PLEASE NOTE*

I may update the course materials and due dates throughout the quarter. Therefore, please don't print out the entire quarter's assignments all at once. I'll try to get each week's revised information up by the start of that week. Contact me if you want to work ahead, and I'll try to accommodate you.

We will cover 8 main "THEMES" in class this quarter, each lasting approximately one week: (A) Introduction to the ocean sciences; (B) Plate tectonics and seafloor geography; (C) Sediments, coasts, and beaches; (D) Seawater physics and chemistry; (E) Atmospheric and ocean circulation; (F) Waves and tides; (G) Marine resources and environmental concerns; and (H) Life in the ocean.

Introductory Material:

Topics:

  • Theme A - Introduction to the Ocean Sciences

Required Readings:

  • Textbook
    • Chapters 1 and 2
    • Appendices III and IV
  • PowerPoint Lectures
    • Chapters 1 and 2 - In Portable Document Format (download the .pdf file)
    • Note: My course PowerPoints include required information that is not covered in the textbook. Therefore, you need to study both the textbook and the PowerPoints every week, plus the Other Readings as listed below.
  • Other Readings
    • Required: None this week
    • Optional A: http://www.gesource.ac.uk/timeline_Oceanography.html
    • Optional B: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/longitude/secrets.html
    • Optional C: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanography
    • Optional D: http://www.womenoceanographers.org

Lab Due:

  • Lab #1: Marine Charts & Navigation
    • Due this Saturday (Week 1)
    • Lab #1 Handout (in your Lab Manual)
    • Supplementary/color images for Lab #1 (.download the .pdf file)
    • Lab #1 Hints (go to the .html file)
    • Lab #1 Submission Form (go to the .html file)
      • NOTE: I am in the process of switching the Lab Submission Forms over to a Blackboard "assessment form" format. Please check the course site for updates!
    • Note: You must download each week's Lab Handout from this section every week. When you have answered all of the questions to your satisfaction, submit them to me by filling in the official Lab Submission Form.

Quiz/Exam Due:

  • Quiz #1
    • Due this Saturday (Week 1)
    • Chapters 1 and 2 and related material

Other Assignments Due:

  • Week 1 Q&A Discussion Assignment
    • Weekly Q&A assignment instructions (go to the .pdf file)
    • Part A - Due this Saturday (Week 1)
    • Part B - Due next Wednesday (Week 2)
  • Student Biography Assignment
    • Assignment instructions (go to the .html file)
    • Part A & Part B - Due this Saturday (Week 1)

General Information:

* Remember, assignments are always due before midnight on the specified dates--They will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on the due date, but will not be accepted at 12:00 a.m. on the following day. You must factor electronic transmission times and other potential technical issues into your plans -- Don't cut it close!

  • Read (and print) the Course Syllabus and Getting Started pages immediately!
  • Start using the Blackboard discussion boards -- I set them up for you :-)
  • Buy your course supplies right away -- Assignments related to Chapters 1 & 2 and Appendices III & IV are due this week.
  • I have put at least one copy of the textbook on reserve at the Bellevue College Library, "just in case".
  • Even when you aren't in Blackboard you can access many (but not all) course items via http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/gj - Therefore, please bookmark that page.
  • If you have technical questions about Blackboard, please contact Bellevue College Distance Education (http://bellevuecollege.edu/distance).
  • Need financial aid verification? If so, please follow the instructions linked here (.html page).
  • If you are waitlisted, you must email me at gwjones@bellevuecollege.edu immediately and keep in touch with me throughout the week. Be sure you keep up with the readings and submit all of this week's assignments on time!
  • If you do extra credit field trip(s), let me know and we can discuss locations/timing. Also:
    • Mandatory - Field Trip Waiver Form (.pdf file)
    • Seattle Aquarium Field Trip Handout (.pdf file)
    • Cougar Mountain Field Trip Handout (.pdf file)
    • Dash Point Field Trip Handout (.pdf file)
    • Alki Point Field Trip Handout (.pdf file)