Biogeochemical Systems (OCN 401)      Course Outline  --  Fall 2008
Date Topic Chapter Instructor Class Project Debates
26-Aug Introduction.  Discussion of class projects. Sansone, Ruttenberg
28-Aug Tree of life.  Metabolic pathways.  Calculation of energy yields. Sansone
2-Sep Atmospheric deposition, atmospheric models 3 Measures
4-Sep Photosynthesis and net primary production 5 Measures
9-Sep Net primary production and global change 5 Sansone
11-Sep Nutrient cycling in land plants 6 Sansone
16-Sep Nutrient cycling in land vegetation and soils 6 Sansone
18-Sep Cycling and biogeochemical transformations of N, P and S 6 Sansone
23-Sep Discussion of term papers, how to write references, and library research methods. Ruttenberg, Roddy, Sansone
25-Sep Ecosystem mass balances and models of terrestrial nutrient cycling 6 Sansone
30-Sep Biogeochemical redox reactions in aquatic systems 7 Sansone
2-Oct Lakes, primary production, budgets and cycling 7 Ruttenberg *** Topic Due ***
7-Oct Rock weathering and soil development 4 Ruttenberg
9-Oct MID-TERM EXAM Sansone
14-Oct River transport and chemistry 8 Ruttenberg ***Two-min summary of topic***
16-Oct Estuarine and coastal ocean environments 8 Ruttenberg
21-Oct Oceanic composition, circulation 9 Ruttenberg Debate 1
23-Oct Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part I 9 Ruttenberg *** Outline Due ***
28-Oct Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part II 9 Ruttenberg
30-Oct Oceanic sedimentary records 9 Glazer Debate 2
4-Nov HOLIDAY: Election Day
6-Nov Hydrothermal vents 9 Glazer
11-Nov HOLIDAY: Veteran's Day
Global Cycles
13-Nov Global water cycle 10 Glazer Debate 3
18-Nov Contemporary C cycle - I 11 Measures *** First Draft  Due ***
20-Nov Contemporary C cycle - II 11 Measures Debate 4
25-Nov Contemporary N, P and S cycles - I 12 Measures *** First Draft Returned***
27-Nov HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving
2-Dec Contemporary N, P and S cycles - II 12 Measures
4-Dec Student Presentations 13 Glazer *** Final Draft Due ***
Student Presentations
9-Dec Student Presentations Glazer
11-Dec Student Presentations,  course evaluations Glazer
18-Dec FINAL EXAM:   12:00 - 2:00 Williams
           
Class:  Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00 - 1:15 pm, MSB 307
Instructors:   Frank Sansone, Chris Measures, Kathleen Ruttenberg, Brian Glazer
Course Coordinator:   Frank Sansone, MSB 205, x62912, sansone@hawaii.edu
Teaching Assistant:  Emma Williams, emmalw@hawaii.edu
Required Text:  Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change, (2nd Edition) by W. H. Schelsinger
Final grade  =  Mid-term exam (25%);  final exam (25%);  class project (term paper, oral presentation, etc.) (30%); 
         homework assignments, debates & class participation (20%)
OCN 401 - STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1)  Explain the underlying principles of biogeochemical cycling in aquatic and terrestrial systems.
2)  Identify the major global pathways of bioactive elements, and the ways human activities affect these pathways.
3)  Use written and oral communication to clearly explain biogeochemical phenomena and related contemporary research.