ES331 Introduction to Oceanography


Class Syllabus (Adobe Acrobat Format)

ES331 Fall 2005 Class Syllabus

Bulletin Board **Check Here for Class News and Events**


Have good break and happy holidays!

Final Grades (updated 12/12/05)





Class Notes

The class notes are organized according to their order of occurrence throughout the term. They are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) Format. Acrobat Reader is invoked as a plug-in within the web browser environment. It is available on most machines at WOU. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by returning to Taylor's Home Page

Exam study guides will be included as the term progresses. Please check future postings as exam time approaches

Introduction to Oceanography and Earth System Science

  • Intro Figures
  • Intro to Map Figures

    Review of Key Physics Concepts

    Geology / Plate Tectonics Overview
  • Tectonics Figures

    Marine Provinces and Sediment Sources
  • Relative Sea Level Figures
  • Physiography of Seafloor Figures
  • Ocean Sediment Figures

    Physics and Chemistry of Oceans
  • Chemistry Figures
  • Chemistry In-Class Concentration Problems

    Marine Stable Isotopes and Paleoclimatology
  • Mass Spectrometry - How it Works
  • Milankovich Orbital Cycles - Summary Diagram

    Atomosphere-Ocean Linkage (Air-Sea Interaction)
  • Atmosphere Figures
  • Ocean Current Figures
  • Understanding Weather Video Exercise

    Coastal Processes (waves, tides, morphology)
  • Tide and Wave Process Figures

    Powerpoint Slide Shows to Accompany Class Notes


    Class Homework Assignments

    Homework Instructions:

    (1) Clicking on the link at the end of this section will take you to a server called "WebCT".
    (2) Once at the site, choose the "Log On to My WebCT" option.
    (3) Enter your WOU student server username (the first letter of your first name + the first 6 letters of your last name).
    Use all lower case letters only!!!
    (4) Enter your username again for the password.
    Use all lower case letters only!!!
    (5) Once you are logged in, look for the "Change Password" icon... you can change your password at any time!
    (6) Click on the "Homework Assignment" icon.
    (7) Click on the homework assignment you wish to complete, and begin the online assignment.
    (8) You may stop and begin the assignment as many times as you wish, but only until you click "submit for grading".
    (9) Make sure you print a hard copy of your homework answers and/or save them as a file on your local drive!

    Note: Pay attention to the availability dates. You have unlimited time and an unlimited number of tries to correctly answer and submit the questions.

    Note: Print your questions and answers from the browser icon... this will be your written record of completing the assignment!!


    Click Here to Go to WebCT and the Homework Page

    Lab Exercise Notes and In-Class Exercises

    Lab Equation List
    Unit Conversion Reference

    Introductory Video Exercise ("Understanding Oceans")
    Global Ocean Geography Exercise
    Week 1 Lab Exercise Notes
    In-Class Contouring / Bathymetry Exercise
    In-Class Intro to Data Analysis Exercise
    In-Class Intro to Chemistry Exercise

    Midterm Project Reading Assignment
  • Anderson et al., 2001 Reading
  • Komar, 1998 Reading
  • Komar, 1992 Reading

    Click Here for Instructions to Compile Midterm Lab Portfolios
    Click Here for Final Portfolio Instructions


    Lab / Exercise Answer Keys

    Key to Intro to Data Analysis
    Key to In-Class Contouring Exercise
    Lab 1 Key- Bathymetry Answer Key
    Lab 2 Key- Marine Maps and Charts
  • Correction to Lab 2 - Problem 3d
    Lab 3 Key- Seafloor Spreading / Tectonics
    Lab 4 Key- Geography of Oceans
    Lab 5 Key- Ocean Sediment
    Lab 6 Key- Seismic Profiling
    Lab 7 Key- Sea Water Temperature and Salinity
    Ocean Chemistry Problem Set Key
    Lab 8 Key- Analysis of Water Masses
    Lab 9 Key- Ocean Currents
    Lab 10 Key- Tides
    Lab 11 Key- Waves
    Lab 12 Key- Beach Erosion



    Study Guides

    General Guide to Studying Physical Science
    Quiz 1 Study Guide
    Mid-Term Study Guide
    Click Here for Quiz 2 Study Guide
    Final Exam Study Guide