OCN 750:  TOPICS IN BIO-OPTICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
Robert R. Bidigare
Office:  606 MSB (956-6567)
Lab:  406 MSB (956-9856)

Course description:  'Topics in Bio-optical Oceanography' is a 2 credit course and will address (1) the nature and measurement of the light environment in the ocean; (2) algal photo-physiology; (3) bio-optical models for estimating rates of phytoplankton photosynthesis; and (4) remote sensing of ocean colour.  The class meets each Tuesday during 1:30-3:30 pm in MSB 315.  There is not a formal textbook for this class.  Initially, the course will consist of lectures covering basic theory (August-September), after which time a take-home problem set will be given out.  Each of the remaining classes (September-December) will be divided into three parts: (1) 30 minute lecture on 'background' material; (2) 60 minute student presentation of 1-2 scientific publications related to the week's topic; and (3) 30 minute class discussion of the presented paper(s).  Copies of papers will be distributed one week in advance of their presentation.

OCN 750 SCHEDULE

	Date	Topic

	Underwater light field
	24 August	Course organization and nomenclature
	31 August	Concepts of hydrological optics 
	7 September	Incident solar radiation
	14 September	Absorption of light in the aquatic medium
	21 September	Scattering of light in the aquatic medium
	28 September	Characterizing the underwater light field*
	5 October	The nature of the underwater light field*
	12 October	Remote sensing of the aquatic environment*

	Photosynthesis in the aquatic environment
	19 October	Light capture by phytoplankton I*
	26 October	Light capture by phytoplankton II*
	2 November	Bio-optical models of photosynthesis I*
	9 November	Bio-optical models of photosynthesis II*
	16 November	No class
	23 November	Effects of UV-B on algal photosynthesis*
	30 November	Ecological strategies*
	7 December	Estimation of global ocean production rates*
	
	13-17 December	Final Exams

(*) indicates session with student presentation