Oceanography 201: Science of the Sea

Spring 2008 - Course information

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Instructors:       Eric DeCarlo - Course Coordinator; Geological Oceanography
Barry Huebert - Physical & Chemical Oceanography
Grieg Steward - Biological Oceanography
                         
Teaching Assistants:      Allyn Fetherolf - Head TA
Scott Burch
Graceson Ghen
Dan Reineman
Ciril Rozic

The Teaching Assistants (TAs) are available to discuss course material and answer questions every day of the week. They will hold scheduled office hours at the TA office (MSB 113). If you cannot come to regular office hours, contact the TAs by email to schedule an alternative time. Be sure to provide your name and a phone number or e-mail address where you may be reached. You are encouraged to utilize the TA services, as they are an excellent resource and an important link between you and the professor.

Email questions can be directed to: ta@soest.hawaii.edu

GRADING AND EXAMS: Your grade will be based on three (3) equally weighted exams and one self-guided field trip.  Exams will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and short essay questions.  Although the last exam will be given during the regular final exam period, it is not comprehensive. The breakdown for course points is as follows:

NO ABSENCES ARE ALLOWED FROM ANY EXAM, except under circumstances totally beyond your control. Except for medical emergencies, excuses must be submitted and approved BEFORE the day of the exam. Athletes who will miss an exam due to scheduled games, etc. should inform the TAs 2 weeks prior to the exam. If these procedures are not followed, you will earn a ZERO for the exam. If you miss an exam and your excuse is approved subsequently, a make-up exam must be taken as close to the originally scheduled exam as possible. The make-up exam will consist entirely of ESSAY questions.

The exams are graded on a curve. Exam grades and raw scores will be posted on the window of the TA Office (MSB 113) a few days after the exam. We will also post the results on the course website. After the exam grades are posted, you may review your exam and the exam key during TA office hours. The exam papers must be kept in the TA office.

EXAM REVIEW: A review sheet will be provided approximately one week prior to each exam. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he/she understands the topics covered in the review sheet. The week prior to the exam, TAs will also hold extra office hours in order to provide additional help for student questions, etc. In addition, exams from the past several years are posted on the website. Students are strongly encouraged to review prior exams when studying for the current semester's exams.

FIELD TRIP: Field trips provide a great opportunity to view and experience material from the course in the context of everyday life. There are four choices for the field trip, including Hanauma Bay, the Waikiki Aquarium, the Atlantis Submarine Dive and the Mokulua Kayak Guides. Information about each of these self-guided field trips is posted on the class website. In addition, each field trip has a worksheet that can be accessed on the course website. The worksheet must be filled out during the field trip. You must remember to attach your receipt (or get your worksheet stamped if that is an option) to get your points!

In order to receive credit (25 pts) for the field trip, the worksheet must be submitted to the TA office by Friday May 2, 2008. Form submissions after this date will NOT be accepted.  Please DO NOT submit field trip worksheets to a TA in class, the forms must be submitted to the TA office during office hours.

TEXTBOOK: The text for this course is Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science, (5th Edition) by Tom Garrison. It is available at the UH bookstore. Prior editions of the textbook are also acceptable. However, it is your responsibility to note any differences between the older editions and the current edition. In addition, it is possible to find competitive new and used prices for this text at amazon.com. Other potential sources of used copies are the Campus Flea Market (www.thecampusfleamarket.com) and the Manoa Exchange (www.manoaexchange.com). There are copies of the text available at Sinclair Library (on reserve), as well as in the TA Office. The copies on reserve and at the TA Office are not to be removed from their respective locations.  It is important that you prepare for class by reading the assigned text before coming to class. Course material presented in class is more readily assimilated when students come prepared.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: The material in this course is best learned interactively. Despite the large class size, the instructors appreciate questions that lead to an informative class discussion.

DISABILITY ACCESS:  If you have a disability and related access needs, the Instructors will make every effort to assist and support you.  For confidential services students are encouraged to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (known as “Kokua”) located on the ground floor (Room 013) of the Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services:

KOKUA Program • 2600 Campus Road • Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 • Voice: 956-751 • Email: kokua@hawaii.edu www.hawaii.edu/kokua