Biogeochemical Systems (OCN 401)      Course Outline  --  Fall 2013
Lecture
# Day Date Topic Chapter Term Project Instr Homeworks Away
Part I:  Processes and Reactions
1 Tu 27-Aug Course Introduction.  Discuss homework and term paper.   Tree of life.  Metabolic pathways.  Calculation of energy yields. 1, 2 KCR, FS Assign 1st mini-essay
2 Th 29-Aug Atmospheric deposition, atmospheric models 3 CM
3 Tu 3-Sep Rock weathering and soil development 4 KCR 1st mini-essay due
4 Th 5-Sep Photosynthesis and net primary production 5 CM Return graded 1st mini-essay; Assign 2nd mini-essay
5 Tu 10-Sep Net primary production and global change 5 CM
6 Th 12-Sep Nutrient cycling in land plants 6 FS 2nd mini-essay due; Assign peer reviewers
7 Tu 17-Sep Discussion of Peer Reviewed mini-essays; Assign Extended Essay Topics; Review of Rubrics; Library research methods - KCR, FS Peer reviews due; Discuss Peer review of 2nd mini-essay in class                                                        Assign Extended Essay Topics  to students; BRIEF review of rubrics for Extended Essay
8 Th 19-Sep Nutrient cycling in land vegetation and soils 6 FS
9 Tu 24-Sep Cycling and biogeochemical transformations of N, P and S 6 FS 1st draft Extended Essay due; Assign peer reviewers
10 Th 26-Sep Ecosystem mass balances and models of terrestrial nutrient cycling 6 FS
11 Tu 1-Oct Peer review of extended essays in class - Discuss Term Paper Topic mini-presentation                        & Outline Rubric KCR Discuss peer review of  essay drafts in class; Draft revision plans in class  CM, FS
12 Th 3-Oct Lakes, primary production, budgets and cycling 7 AH CM,FS, KCR,BG
13 Tu 8-Oct Wetlands, and biogeochemical redox reactions in aquatic systems 7 FS Final draft Extended Essay due CM, KCR
14 Th 10-Oct Wetlands, and biogeochemical redox reactions in aquatic systems 8 *** Term Paper Topic Due ***  BG CM, KCR
15 Tu 15-Oct MID-TERM EXAM - KCR Return Graded Extended Essay
16 Th 17-Oct River transport and chemistry 8 ***Term Paper Topic mini-presentation ***                       (2 minute, 1 to 3 slide summary) KCR
17 Tu 22-Oct Estuarine and coastal ocean environments 8 BG
18 Th 24-Oct Oceanic composition, circulation 8 *** Outline Due; Assign Peer Reviewers *** CM
19 Tu 29-Oct In class Peer review of Outlines - ***Peer reviews due; Discuss Outline Peer Reviews in class; Draft revision plans in class *** KCR
20 Th 31-Oct Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part I 9 KCR
21 Tu 5-Nov Oceanic production, carbon regeneration, nutrient cycling in the ocean - Part II 9 *** Final Outline Due *** KCR
22 Th 7-Nov Hydrothermal vents 9 BG
23 Tu 12-Nov Oceanic sedimentary records 9 *** Outline Returned *** BG
Part II:  Global Cycles
24 Th 14-Nov Global water cycle 10 CM
25 Tu 19-Nov The Global Carbon cycle - I 11 *** First Draft  Due *** CM
26 Th 21-Nov The Global Carbon cycle - II 11 CM
27 Tu 26-Nov The Global Phosphorus cycle 12 KCR
- Th 28-Nov HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving (no class) - -
28 Tu 3-Dec The Global Nitrogen cycle;  linkages between C, N, and P cycles 12 *** First Draft Returned*** KCR CM
29 Th 5-Dec The Global Sulfur cycle 13 BG CM
CM
Student Presentations
30 Tu 10-Dec Student Presentations-I (ALL) CM
31 Th 12-Dec Student Presentations-II,  course evaluations *** Final Draft Due *** (ALL) CM
Th 19-Dec FINAL EXAM:   11:50 to 1:50 CM
Class:  Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00 - 1:15 pm, MSB 307
Instructors:   Kathleen Ruttenberg, Frank Sansone, Chris Measures, Brian Glazer Office Hours:  1:30-2:30 after lectures
Course Coordinator:   Kathleen Ruttenberg, MSB 222, x69371, kcr@soest.hawaii.edu
Teaching Assistant:  N/A
Required Text:  Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change, (3rd Edition) by W. H. Schelsinger and Emily S. Bernhardt
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.
Updated 9/26/2013