SYLLABUS
Functional Oceanography (ENVS
665)
3 Credit Hours
Spring 2012
David R. Perault, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental
Science
Office Location: Hobbs 217
Office Telephone: 434-544-8370
Email:
Course Information
This course is taught independently with all material available
online. There will be informational/discussion meetings a few times
throughout the semester that students are strongly encouraged to attend.
All meetings will be in Hobbs 223. Click here
for directions and parking information.
● Organizational
meeting: 7:00 PM on Monday, January 23
● Mid-semester
meeting: 7:00 PM on Monday, March 12
● End of
semester meeting: 7:00 PM on Monday, April 23
Course Materials
Stewart, R. H. (2005). Introduction to Physical Oceanography.
Free and available on the internet. Click here to access.
Powers, D. (2005). The Raging Sea: The Powerful Account of the
Worst Tsunami in U.S. History. Citadel, New York, NY.
ISBN: 0806526823. Available in the LC bookstore, or click here or
here
to order.
Course Description
Prerequisite: Post-baccalaureate standing.
This course explores the oceans, their functions, and their processes. It
addresses ocean currents, water chemistry, heat and energy transfer, sea floor
geology, and coastal interactions across our planet. Special emphasis will be
placed on improving the laboratory and field skills of middle and high school
level Biology and Earth Science teachers.
Purpose of Course
This course can be used towards the VA Earth Science teaching endorsement,
and is an elective for the M.Ed. in Science Education, helping meet the following
goals:
Goal 1: Gain science content knowledge relevant to improving classroom
expertise.
Goal 2: Exercise professional decision making with respect to science
curricula, as well as develop and adapt appropriate science curricula.
Goal 3: Demonstrate research and laboratory skills relevant to becoming a
master science teacher.
Course
Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Students will understand . . .
|
|
Assessment Tool |
|
Concepts |
|
|
Dynamics
of Ocean Systems |
Chapter Reviews |
|
Ocean
Processes |
Chapter Reviews |
|
Energy
Issues |
Chapter Reviews |
|
Coastal
Interactions (e.g., Tsunamis) |
Chapter Reviews |
|
Skills |
|
|
Forecasting
Processes |
Chapter Reviews |
|
Curriculum
Planning |
Lesson Plans |
|
Writing
Proficiency |
Reflective Journals |
|
Use of scientific journals to become familiar with the literature and to stay current in the discipline |
Curriculum Unit/Research
Paper |
|
Processes |
|
|
Critical
Thinking (including analysis and synthesis) |
Curriculum Unit/Research
Paper |
|
Examining, analyzing, synthesizing, reconsidering, and evaluating old and new knowledge and skills |
Oral Presentations |
TESTING AND EVALUATION
|
Grading
Breakdown: |
|||||||
|
Chapter
Reviews |
25% |
|
Number Grade |
Letter Grade |
|
Number Grade |
Letter Grade |
|
Reflective
Journals |
25% |
|
97-100 |
A+ |
|
77-79 |
C+ |
|
Reading |
25% |
|
93-96 |
A |
|
73-76 |
C |
|
Curriculum
Unit |
25% |
|
90-92 |
A- |
|
70-72 |
C- |
|
|
100% |
|
87-89 |
B+ |
|
67-69 |
D+ |
|
|
|
|
83-86 |
B |
|
63-66 |
D |
|
|
|
|
80-82 |
B- |
|
60-62 |
D- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<60 |
F |
Communication
Email will be the primary form of communication between the instructor and
students. It is the responsibility of the student to have a working email
account and to check it regularly. Students using a non-Hornet account
should provide that account. Given the nature of this class as an
independent study, students are encouraged to contact the instructor at any
point with problems or grade concerns.
Posted 11/10/2011