STIA-370 Oceans

Faculty:

Cronin, Thomas

The major objective of this course is to understand to ocean's role in global environmental and energy issues such as biodiversity, ocean acidification, climate change, and sea level rise. In this context, course will (1) present fundamental biological, chemical and physical processes and features in modern and past oceans; (2) describe 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. The course will cover these topics: sea-level rise and coastal zones, ecosystem degradation (dead zones, estuaries, mangroves), the carbon cycle, ocean acidification, coral reef ecosystems, oceans and energy and mineral resources, energy policy (carbon sequestration, iron fertilization), biodiversity (endangered species, extinction, invasive species), El Nino and climate variability, and polar oceans. We will cover topics related to continental shelves and slopes (gravity slides), deep-sea abyssal plains and hydrothermal vents. A global view is necessary to understand certain critical ocean-related issues, but many policy issues are pertinent at local and regional spatial scales.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

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

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

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

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