The Blue Planet - Our Oceans

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. (GEOL 1345, GEOL 1445*) The Blue Planet - Our Oceans. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course introduces the ocean as a dynamic system that shapes our planet and our lives. You will explore how Earth processes like plate tectonics, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, climate and ecosystems are tied together by the ocean. Along the way, we will ask big questions about the role of the ocean in sustaining life, how humans affect the marine environment and how science can inform solutions to global challenges. Expect to engage with complex issues such as sustainability, climate change and human impacts, while also gaining a strong foundation in ocean science concepts that will help you navigate both the classroom and the world around you. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Understanding the ocean is not only exciting — it is essential. The ocean drives weather, climate and ecosystems that directly influence human life and the global economy. In this course, you will practice skills that matter well beyond the classroom: analyzing scientific data, working in teams, communicating scientific ideas and thinking critically about real-world problems. These tools will support your academic growth, prepare you for professional pathways and help you make informed decisions as a citizen in a world where the health of the ocean and society are deeply connected. KEY TOPICS AND THEMES. Key topics include plate tectonics and the seafloor, seawater properties, waves, tides, circulation and climate connections. You will study marine ecosystems and the relationships between ocean organisms and the adaptations needed to live in different oceanic regions, as well as the impact of humans on coasts and the open ocean. The course also highlights sustainability, sea level rise and ocean policy as they connect to global challenges. Class discussions and current events will add new perspectives, keeping the course timely and relevant; also taught at Galveston campus.