Syllabus:

This course will follow closely the lecture material, enabling you to get a more "hands-on" approach to the topics. Most of the classes will be held in the lab, but a few sessions will take advantage of the close proximity of the ocean! Please note that the college does not provide transportation.

Schedule:

The course will try to follow the schedule posted below. The class meets from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday in room PS111. Keep in mind that new developments in both our understanding of the oceans and how the oceans affect our lives happen constantly so the course material may shift to accommodate relevant information.

Other information:

The required text for this course is "Laboratory Exercises in Oceanography 2nd Edition" by Bernard Pipkin, Donn Gorsline, Richard Casey, and Douglas Hammond. In addition to the text, you will also be provided with additional readings and handouts. Please note that the lab assignment each week may not be the exercises given in the lab book.
My office hours are Tuesday, 1-2:30 and Thursday, 10-11:30 in PS 122 (across the hall from PS 111). In addition, I will probably be in the office most of Tuesday and Thursday and can be interrupted at any time. My office phone number is 476-4210 x4983. I can also be reached via e-mail at: russell-shapiro@eureka.Redwoods.cc.ca.us

Grading:

Your grade will be determined from your scores on the weekly lab exercises (2/3 of the final grade) and reports on the field trips (1/3 of the final grade). There will be no midterm or final. The grades will be based on a 100 point scale; that is, 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 0-59=F. Therefore, it is possible for everyone to get an A (or an F!). Lab study groups are encouraged, but the field trip reports must be individual. It should also be noted that attendance is very important and multiple absences will result in a lowering of the grade.