Biogeochemical Systems (OCN 401)     

 Course Outline  --Fall 2011
Lecture
#
Day
Date
Topic
Chapter
Term Project
Instr
Homeworks
Away
1 Tu 23-Aug Course Introduction.  Class projects. Tree of life.  Metabolic pathways.  Calculation of energy yields.
-
 KCR, BG
Assign 1st mini-essay
 FS
2 Th 25-Aug Atmospheric deposition, atmospheric models
3
 CM
FS, BG
3 Tu 30-Aug Photosynthesis and net primary production
5
 CM
1st mini-essay due
 FS, BG
4 Th 1-Sep Net primary production and global change
5
 FS
Return graded 1st mini-essay; Assign 2nd mini-essay
 CM, BG
5 Tu 6-Sep Nutrient cycling in land plants
6
 FS
2nd mini-essay due; Assign peer reviewers
 CM, BG
6 Th 8-Sep Discussion of Peer Reviewed mini-essays; Assign Extended Essay Topics; Review of Rubrics; Library research methods
-
 KCR, KR

Peer reviews due; Discuss Peer review of 2nd mini-essay in class             

Assign Special Topics to students; BRIEF review of rubrics for extended essay

 CM, BG
7 Tu 13-Sep "Nutrient cycling in land vegetation and soils
6
 FS
CM, BG
8 Th 15-Sep Cycling and biogeochemical transformations of N, P and S
6
 FS
CM, BG, KR
9 Tu 20-Sep Ecosystem mass balances and models of terrestrial nutrient cycling
6
 FS
1st draft extended essay due; Assign peer reviewers
 CM, BG, KR
10 Th 22-Sep Lakes, primary production, budgets and cycling
7
 KCR
BG
11 Tu 27-Sep Peer review of extended essays in class
-
 KCR
Discuss peer review of  essay drafts in class; Draft revision plans in class 
 FS, BG
12 Th 29-Sep Biogeochemical redox reactions in aquatic systems
7
BG
13 Tu 4-Oct Global water cycle
-
CM
Final draft Extended Essay due
14 Th 6-Oct Exam Review and Term Paper Topic Discussion
-
*** Term Paper Topic Due *** discuss Term Paper Topic mini-presentation & Outline Rubric
 KCR
15 Tu 11-Oct MID-TERM EXAM
-
CM
Return Graded Extended Essay
16 Th 13-Oct Rock weathering and soil development
4
***2-min summary of Term Paper Topic***
 KCR
17 Tu 18-Oct River transport and chemistry
8
*** Outline Due; Assign Peer Reviewers ***
 BG
18 Th 20-Oct In class Peer review of Outlines
-
***Peer reviews due; Discuss Outline Peer Reviews in class; Draft revision plans in class ***
 KCR
19 Tu 25-Oct Estuarine and coastal ocean environments
9
*** Final Outline Due ***
 BG
20 Th 27-Oct Part 1. Ocean Composition, Circulation, El Nino
9
KCR
21 Tu 1-Nov Part 2. Oceanic Production, Carbon Regeneration, Sediment Carbon Burial
9
*** Outline Returned ***
 KCR CM
22 Th 3-Nov Part 3. Oceanic Carbon and Nutrient Cycling
9
KCR CM
23 Tu 8-Nov Oceanic sedimentary records
9
BG CM
Global Cycles
24 Th 10-Nov Hydrothermal vents
9
*** First Draft  Due ***
 BG CM
25 Tu 15-Nov Contemporary S cycle
13
BG CM
26 Th 17-Nov Contemporary C cycle - I
11
FS CM
27 Tu 22-Nov Contemporary C cycle - II
11
*** First Draft Returned***
 FS CM
- Th 24-Nov HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving (no class)
-
- CM
28 Tu 29-Nov Contemporary P cycle
12
KCR CM
29 Th 1-Dec Contemporary N cycle;  linkages between C, N, and P cycles
12
KCR CM

 

 
Student Presentations
30 Tu 6-Dec Student Presentations-I
(ALL) CM
31 Th 8-Dec Student Presentations-II,  course evaluations
*** Final Draft Due ***
 (ALL) CM
Th 13-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: N/A
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) (30%); homework assugnments and 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.