STIA-370 Oceans

Faculty:

Cronin, Thomas

The major objectives of this course are (1) to obtain an understanding of fundamental biological, chemical and physical processes in modern and past oceans; (2) to examine the relationships between these processes and contemporary environmental and economic resource issues; (3) to develop familiarity with ocean and coastal zone policy issues on local, regional and global spatial scales, and (4) to understand to ocean's role in global environmental issues such as biodiversity, climate and sea level change. The course will cover topics relevant to coastal zones (estuaries, mangroves, reef ecosystems, bays), to continental shelves and slopes (gravity slides), and deep-sea abyssal plains and vents. Topics such as sea level rise, coastal development, coral reef diversity, fisheries, polar seas, mineral and fossil fuel resources, law of the sea, endangered species, and the carbon cycle and ocean uptake of carbon will be covered. Although a global view is necessary to understand certain critical ocean-related issues, many policy issues are pertinent at local and regional spatial scales, such as the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, iron fertilization of tropical oceans systems, sea level inundation of low-lying nations, estuarine pollution and hypoxia, and the impact of land use on coastal regions, and water and coastal zone management.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
The following syllabi may help you learn more about this course (login required):

Spring '06: Cronin, Thomas M. Dr. (description, file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
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