MAST 601-Introduction to Oceanography
(Graduate Oceanography for Non-Scientists)
via Interactive TV (ITV); 3 hours
Robinson Hall, Newark; Cannon Lab, Lewes
Thomas M. Church, Professor

Course Synopsis:

   This course is designed as a survey course for graduate students at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment for whom a course covering all of the fields of Oceanography (Geological, Chemical, Physical, and Biological) is necessary to pursue career goals in marine and environmental management and/or policy. However, it is open and offered on ITV to the Lewes campus for other interested students (teachers, educators, senior citizens, etc).

Class Organization:

   The course will meet one day per week, for three hours at a time. The typical class will include a mixture of formats including: (1) lectures, (2) discussions (both instructor and student lead); and (3) student presentations. The lectures will be on the topics noted, the discussions will be focused on current marine research or policy issues and will be based on articles from the New York Times's Science Times section (that appears each Tuesday) or similar sources. The student presentations will be on oceanography science topics of mutual choice with ideas coming from these New York Times selections which will be placed on reserve. There may be some modification of this typical structure, as needed.

Textbook:

Gross, M.G., and E. Gross, 1996. Oceanography, A View of Earth., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 472 pgs. (ISBN 0-13-231788-5).

    Assigned readings will be completed by participants prior to each scheduled class. Students are encouraged to read the weekly AScience Times@ section of the New York Times or similar articles on scientific issues and to bring such issues to class for discussion.

Grading:

     Grading will be based on weekly class preparation (reading) and participation (25%), a single in-class presentation with student-lead discussion (25%), a take-home mid-term examination (25%) and an in-class final examination (25%).

Instructor Office Hours:

The Professor is available in 013 Lamott DuPont Laboratory, Newark by appointment via telephone (302-831-2558) or with his secretary (302-831-8253 PM) or via Email at mailto:tchurch@udel.edu