Oceanography Syllabus
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Intro. To Oceanography
Geology 1345
TR 8:00-9:30am
Room 329 SJAC
Spring 2004
Instructor: Dr. Alta S. Cate
Yes, class does start promptly at 8 AM.Office Hours: 12:30-1:45 MTR, Room 329 or by appointment.
Contact: alta.cate@hccs.edu email preferred
Phone: Department office 713-718-6052, leave message. Please use this option only if you absolutely cannot email.
AS A COURTESY TO ME AND TO YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES DURING CLASS.
Text: Introductory Oceanography , H.V. Thurman, E.A. Burton, 9th Edition, Prentice Hall. http://www.prenhall.com/thurman ISBN 0-13-857061-2: complete the reading assignment before you come to class. The lecture follows the book as closely as possible but includes information that may not be in the book. Tests cover material from both reading assignments,lecture, homeworks, and any films or videos that are shown. Power Point Lecture notes are available for purchase in the Bookstore or you can bring a floppy disc and copy them from the classroom laptop.
Testing: Tests may be combination of short answer, multiple choice, and definitions. Some questions may refer to slides shown throughout the test. Make-up exams will be given in cases of illness, family emergency, or business obligation. Make-up exams are difficult to arrange and will be given only one time to an individual student. A written excuse from your employer or doctor may be required.
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact me (preferably by email) and schedule a time to makeup a test BEFORE you return to class. If you fail to do this, you will have to wait until the end of the semester to makeup the test. There is no final exam in this class. At the time scheduled for a final exam, you may take (or retake) one term exam. This may be a test you were unable to take in a timely manner during the semester or it may be a test on which you received a low or failing grade.Grading Scale: Percent of 475 points allotted as follows:
400 points 4 regular semester tests @100 points each*
The remaining 75 points are as follows
50 points - Term Project (see below)
25 points - Homeworks
25 points Optional Extra-credit Exam covering class presentations.
* Note: one test may be made up or retaken on the day scheduled for a final.
Letter grades are based on the standard HCC grading scale. Attendance Policy:In compliance with HCCS policy, attendance is stressed and is recorded. A student who misses more than 12.5% (more than 4 classes) of class time may be dropped by the instructor. See Page 2 of HCCS Student Handbook. If there are extenuating circumstances (accident or illness), you must inform the instructor or your desire to remain in the course and arrange to make-up any missed assignments. Documentation may be required. Class begins promptly at 8:00. Excessive tardiness will be noted and penalized.
Drop Policy: In keeping with HCCS policy, students who continue to come to class after the official drop date will receive a grade in the class. If you fail to take a test or to present a final project, that grade will likely be an F.
Cheating is strictly forbidden by HCC and the instructor. Anyone caught cheating will be subject to failure and possible expulsion. On test days students who are wearing baseball caps will be asked to take caps off or turn them backwards. No cell phone calls may be made or received during a test. Please do not leave the room during a test.
ADA Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to report to Room 102 SJAC, or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty members are only authorized to provide accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
TERM PROJECTS Last Three Class Days
Students are responsible for teaching the last three classes. You can work in groups (number and size of groups as well as time allotted for presentation is contingent on class size). Each group will be responsible for developing a presentation around an "Issue in Oceanography". You may use PowerPoint or transparencies. You may form a group around an issue, or you may "bond" with those sitting near you to form a group. Issues listed in the text follow. The text web page has an exercise around each issue. You may use this to get started . Your group may choose from this list or develop you own issue. Test 1 is the Deadline for choosing topic.
Issues in Oceanography
Coastal Population Growth: A Global Ecosystem at Risk, p. xviii
Coral Rocks! The value of the Worlds Coral Reefs, p. 82
Sharks, p. 144
Global Warming and Sea Level Rise, 162
Toxic Chemicals in Seawater, p. 186
Greenhouse Gases, Global CO2, Emissions and Global Warming, p. 218
Catch of the Day, p. 276
Beaches or Bedrooms? The Dynamic Coastal Environment., p. 308
Human Impact of Estuaries, 336 (You could focus on Galveston Bay)
Bycatch: Dolphin-safe Tuna and Turtle-safe Shrimp, p. 362
Illegal Immigration: Ballast Water and Exotic Species, p. 390
Lifestyles of the Large and Blubbery: How to grow a blue whale, p. 420
Each group will provide test questions to me on the material covered and study guides for classmates . On the day scheduled for the final, you have the option to take a test over the presentations of groups other than your own for extra credit.
