Geology 155 - Oceanography Lecture

Spring Quarter 2005 (12900, SEC 1)	Instructor: Sonjia Leyva

Hours: M – W 10:40 AM – 12:05 PM	Office: PS 221, 323-343-2149

Room: PS 158	Office Hours: M & W 9:30 -10:30 AM

Webpage: www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sleyva	Email: sleyva@calstatela.edu

Course Description: This laboratory class is the first portion of the Geology 155 Oceanography class. Origin of oceans; sea floor features; ocean sediments, life, and circulation; seawater properties; and coastal processes. Lecture 3 hours, Laboratory 3 Hours. Fulfills 4 units in the B2 Block of the GE Requirements
Course Objectives: Geology 155 is an introductory oceanography course designed to provide students with the knowledge of some of the basic fundamentals and concepts of oceanography. Some of the subjects covered in this course include evolution of the ocean basins, properties of ocean waters, ocean circulation, and the origin and types of waves. PowerPoint lectures were created to help illustrate the subjects covered in each chapter.
Text & Materials: Oceanography: An Invitation To Marine Science, 4th Edition by Tom Garrison, in addition to handouts & videos.

WEEK	DATE	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT
1	3/28	Introduction	Chapter 1
3/30	Exploring The Oceans	Chapter 2
2	4/4	Plate Tectonics	Chapter 3
4/6
3	4/11	Continental Margins And Ocean Basins	Chapter 4
4/13	Sediments	Chapter 5
4	4/18	Exam #1 - Science Statement Due
4/20	Seawater Chemistry	Chapter 7
5	4/25	Seawater Chemistry / Properties	Chapter 6 & 7
4/27	Seawater Properties	Chapter 6
6	5/2	Atmospheric Circulation	Chapter 8
5/4
7	5/9	Exam #2 - last day to turn in Extra credit EQ Kits
5/11	Ocean Circulation	Chapter 9
8	5/16
5/18	Wave Dynamics and Wind Waves	Chapter 10
9	5/23	Tsunami, Seiches, and Tides	Chapter 11
5/25	Coasts	Chapter 12
10	5/30
6/1	Marine Resources -	Chapter 17

Exams (80 points each) - There are three exams scheduled: two midterms and one final. Make-up exams will be given only to those who can verify a valid excuse for missing an exam. The make-up will be given at a time that is mutually agreeable to both the student and myself, but must be arranged prior to the initial exam. Failure to take the make-up will result in the missed exam counting in as a zero. In addition, the exam question sheet must be returned to me after the exam and after the exam review. Failure to do so will result in a ten (10)-point reduction in the student's grade for that exam. Your grades will be available on the class website, www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sleyva/grades/index.html.
Essay Paper (25 points) - As students, our views, comfort zones, and preferred subjects affect the way and manner in which we learn. Please reflect on your experiences with science – both as a child and as an adult – and provide your present perspective on how science currently affects your life. To what extent do you utilize science in your daily life? How comfortable are you with science? How does science relate to your chosen field of study? How does science – and, in particular, this class, relate to your chosen field of study? Paper is due on the day of the first exam. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend each class session and to arrive on time. It will be difficult to make up missed class sessions. However, if you miss a class session of valid reasons (illness), it will up to you to make arrangements to complete the lab exercise. You will receive 2 points per lecture session or attendance.
Internet Access - Internet access is suggested for this class because much of the course content will be posted on the class web site, www.calstatela.edu/faculty/sleyva. Access at home or work is fine as long as you can view the web pages regularly and have a reasonably fast connection. If you don't have access at home or work, you can get free access through an account here at Cal State LA. To get a computer account at Cal State LA, go to the Academic Technology Support (ATS) Office in (basement) King Hall D140. You will need identification and proof of registration.

METHODS OF EVALUATION

Total possible class points will come from the following assignments. YOUR LAB GRADE IS WORTH ONE QUARTER (25%) AND YOUR LECTURE GRADE IS WORTH THREE QUARTERS (75%) OF YOUR OVERALL GEOLOGY 155 GRADE.

Points possible	Total Points Possible	% of grade
Exams	3 tests @ 80 points each	240	60.0%
Science Statement