Course Objectives

• To describe the chemical, physical & biological principles of oceanography.
  
• To provide an up-to-date, integrated introduction to ocean science.
  
• To emphasize the role of the oceans in the regulation of global climate.
• To illustrate the importance of the oceans in environmental issues.
  
• To explore the observational basis for oceanography on the internet.
• To encourage and enhance understanding of oceanic phenomena.
• To stimulate an interest in the scientific study of the oceans.

• Geographical and geological framework of oceans:
• Shape, size, formation, and the history of exploration
• Constituents and structure of the oceans: 
• Sea floor sediments, seawater and salts. 
• Atmosphere/ocean interactions and links to climate: 
• Atmospheric gases, winds, hurricanes, and El Niño events. 
• Dynamic processes in the oceans: 
• Ocean circulation, currents, waves, tsunami and tides. 
• Fringes of the ocean: 
• Coastal waters, estuaries, shorelines, beaches and erosion. 
• Controls on life in the ocean: 
• Production, lifestyles and habitats of marine biota. 
• Biological oceanography: 
• Organisms and ecosystems in coastal, shallow and deep waters. 
• Oceanic environmental issues: 
• Global warming, pollution, toxins and marine resources.

---

Department of Geological Sciences,  1001 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-1403 Phone: (812) 855-5582  Last update: 7 January 2007 Comments: simon'at'indiana.edu Copyright 2007, The Trustees of Indiana University

---