Course goals and learning outcomes support the Foundational Component Areas defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Course goals are linked to the respective Core Curriculum Competencies: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical and Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork. Specific competencies are identified in designated course goals and learning outcomes.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of how the scientific method is utilized and how scientific theories are established by
1. explaining the steps of the scientific method;
2. summarizing the development and evolution of a modern scientific theory;
3. analyzing, in terms of supporting or challenging, a scientific theory based upon current data.
Demonstrate an understanding of processes and structures associated with plate tectonics by
1. explaining the processes associated with plate boundaries;
2. explaining the formation of major features and landforms associated with plate boundaries;
3. describing the physical and compositional properties of the earth’s interior;
4. explaining how earth materials are created, destroyed, and recycled by plate motions.
Demonstrate an understanding of coastal and ocean features associated with ocean processes by
1. explaining the distribution and source of significant sediment types within the world’s oceans;
2. explaining the formation of major coastal features and landforms associated with ocean processes;
3. identifying methods of data collection used in ocean science.
Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and chemical properties of seawater by
1. describing the important physical properties of seawater;
2. describing the important chemical properties of seawater;
3. explaining the density structure of the oceans.
Demonstrate an understanding of the interactive dynamics of the atmosphere and the world’s oceans by
1. describing the basic layers of the atmosphere;
2. explaining atmospheric circulation patterns;
3. explaining oceanic circulation patterns;
4. analyzing the relationship between atmospheric circulation and oceanic circulation and currents;
5. explaining how changes in atmospheric and/or ocean conditions relate to changes in the world environments (e.g., El Niño, greenhouse effect, etc.).
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and effect of waves and tides by
1. describing the forces responsible for wave formation;
2. explaining the development of ocean waves from formation to breaking;
3. explaining the formation of a tsunami;
4. describing the forces responsible for the formation of tides;
5. explaining the modifications that produce different tidal patterns.
Demonstrate an understanding of the marine ecosystem by
1. explaining primary productivity and its importance in the marine ecosystem;
2. describing energy flow in the marine environment through trophic levels, food chains, and food webs;
3. describing the main divisions of the marine ecosystem;
4. identifying major groups of marine organisms;
5. describing adaptations made by marine organisms for life in different marine environments.
Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between man and the world’s oceans by
1. identifying major power sources and other resources that can be harnessed from oceans;
2. analyzing human activities that contribute to the degradation of the marine environment;
3. explaining the effects of manmade structures in or adjacent to the world’s oceans;
4. analyzing the role and responsibilities of nations in the use and management of ocean resources.
Demonstrate an understanding of teamwork by collaborating in problem solving sessions, or open discussion on the same, to include but not limited to setting up the problems, data collection, data analysis, and drawing conclusions.
Communication Skills: Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations and demonstrate an understanding of selected oceanographic science terminology and development of effective written, oral, and visual communication focused on oceanography.
Critical Thinking Skills: Use critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions in lecture and laboratory courses and demonstrate the ability to research, analyze, and evaluate systems in oceanography.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Use empirical and quantitative skills to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions about the ocean and oceanographic processes.
Teamwork: Apply small group communication skills including problem solving, group roles, leadership styles, and cohesiveness.

GEOL 1445

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GEOL 1445 - Oceanography (Lecture Lab)