Biogeochemical Systems (OCN 401)      Course Outline  --  Fall 2009   **red font connotes changes in lecture order**
Lecture
# Date Topic Chapter Term Project Debates Instr Homeworks Away
1 25-Aug Introduction.  Discussion of class projects, library research methods KCR & KR
2 27-Aug Tree of life.  Metabolic pathways.  Calculation of energy yields. FS
3 1-Sep Atmospheric deposition, atmospheric models 3 CM Assign 1st mini-essay (CM)
4 3-Sep Photosynthesis and net primary production 5 CM
5 8-Sep Net primary production and global change 5 FS Assign 2nd mini-essay (FS) CM
6 10-Sep Nutrient cycling in land plants 6 FS / KCR 1st mini-essay (CM) due CM
7 15-Sep Nutrient cycling in land vegetation and soils 6 FS Assign Special Topics to students; BRIEF review of rubrics for extended essay
8 17-Sep Cycling and biogeochemical transformations of N, P and S 6 FS 2nd mini-essay due (FS)
9 22-Sep Ecosystem mass balances and models of terrestrial nutrient cycling 6 FS BG
10 24-Sep Lakes, primary production, budgets and cycling KCR 1st draft of Special Topics  extended essay due BG
11 29-Sep Peer review of extended essays in class 7 KCR In-class peer review of Special Topics essay drafts FS
12 1-Oct Biogeochemical redox reactions in aquatic systems 7 *** Term Paper Topic Due *** BG
13 6-Oct Rock weathering and soil development 4 KCR BG
14 8-Oct MID-TERM EXAM - ELW BG
15 13-Oct River transport and chemistry 8 discuss Term Paper Topic mini-presentation & Outline Rubric KCR
16 15-Oct Estuarine and coastal ocean environments 8 ***Two-min summary of Term Paper Topic*** KCR
17 20-Oct Oceanic composition, circulation 9 KCR BG
18 22-Oct Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part I 9 *** Outline Due *** KCR BG
19 27-Oct Oceanic composition, circulation 9 *** Outline Returned *** KCR
20 29-Oct Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part I - ALL Final draft Special Topics Extended Essay due
21 3-Nov Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part II - ALL CM
22 5-Nov Oceanic sedimentary records 9 BG CM
23 10-Nov Contemporary C cycle - I 9 BG CM
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Global Cycles
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24 12-Nov Contemporary C cycle - II 10 BG CM
25 17-Nov Hydrothermal vents 11 *** First Draft  Due *** CM CM
26 19-Nov Global water cycle 11 CM CM
27 24-Nov Contemporary P cycle 12 *** First Draft Returned*** KCR CM
26-Nov HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving -
28 1-Dec Contemporary N cycle;  linkages between C, N, and P cycles 12 KCR CM
29 3-Dec Contemporary S cycle 13 *** Final Draft Due *** KCR CM
Student Presentations
30 8-Dec Student Presentations-I ALL CM
31 10-Dec Student Presentations-II,  course evaluations ALL CM
BG, CM
15-Dec FINAL EXAM:   12:00 - 2:00
Class:  Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00 - 1:15 pm, MSB 307
Instructors:   Kathleen Ruttenberg, Frank Sansone, Chris Measures, Brian Glazer
Course Coordinator:   Kathleen Ruttenberg, MSB 222, x69371, kcr@soest.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 & 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.
4)  Achieve facility using electronic resources (e.g. on-line journals, electronic searches for science references) to develop a bibliography for
a research area.