Oceanography - SEA Semester

SEA Semester®: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean Oceanography CAS NS 221 (3 credits) Course Catalog Description (max. 40 words): Explore how interconnected ocean characteristics (bathymetry, seawater chemistry, biological diversity) and processes (plate tectonics, surface and deep-­‐water circulation, biological production) shape global patterns across multiple scales. Discuss destination-­‐specific environmental issues and hot topics in marine research. Instructor(s): Sea Education Association Oceanography Faculty Location: SEA campus in Woods Hole, MA and at sea on a SEA sailing school vessel Prerequisites: Admission to SEA Semester. Course Philosophy and Approach: The ocean is both a divider and connector of island nations, it contains important natural resources, and it mediates climate. It is essential to understand the dynamics of the open ocean and the Caribbean Sea in order to understand the ecosystems and cultures of the islands we’ll be visiting. Taking place mostly during the sea component, the Oceanography course sets out to do just that. Complemented by and building upon introductory materials presented in Marine Environmental History (MEH) ashore, and with the research capabilities of the Corwith Cramer, we’ll use the tools of modern ocean sciences to develop a robust understanding of the Caribbean environment. Lab work, instrument deployments and data analysis, together with lectures and group workshops, will lay the groundwork for a series of collaborative oceanography projects. Students will participate in and contribute to three on-­‐going research themes to characterize: 1) the near shore ecosystems during our port stops; 2) the hydrographic and productivity patterns along our cruise track; and, 3) the abundance, distribution, and diversity of marine life in the water masses through which we sail. At sea the course involves the practical application of marine ecological and oceanographic research. While aboard the Corwith Cramer, students join the ship’s crew and stand regular watches in the shipboard laboratory. As you participate in regular watch activities you will learn the practical skills of an oceanography allowing you to characterize the physical, chemical, biological and geological setting along our cruise track. This hands-­‐on experience includes the safe deployment and recovery of all manner of oceanographic equipment, the handling and processing of biological and geological samples, and an array of chemical analyses. By the end of the course you’ll have gained both a fundamental understanding of the dynamics of the ocean, and a practical set of skills in oceanographic field deployment and lab techniques. This course consists of 18 hours of training seminar/lecture/discussion sessions during the shore component (3 hours/week), 10 hours of oceanography class lectures/demonstrations at sea, one symposium of research presentations (2 hours), and a minimum of 90 hours of laboratory watch participation (active learning/laboratory) during underway days at sea. www.sea.edu Oceanography -­‐ 1 SEA Semester®: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean Learning Outcomes: 1. Understand the fundamentals of chemical, physical, biological, and geological oceanography, with emphasis on those fundamentals as related to the ocean environment of the subtropical Atlantic and/or Caribbean Sea. 2. Gain practical experience in oceanographic data collection and taxonomic identification of marine organisms. 3. Demonstrate ability to critically analyze and interpret authentic oceanographic data. 4. Demonstrate ability to generate clear visual representations of oceanographic data, equipment, and organisms; and to present scientific results in oral and written formats. 5. Participate and contribute as an essential member of a research team. Evaluation: Onshore: Oceanography Training Seminars • Taxonomic Identification Lab • Data Analysis and Interpretation Exercise • Oceanography Field Journal 5% 5% 10% At sea: Watch standing 30% Oceanography Skills Proficiency 10% Research Theme Assignments-­‐ • Data Summaries • Illustrated Features • Group Presentations 15% 15% 10% Assignments: Oceanography Training Seminars: While on shore, students will have weekly readings, assignments, lectures, and project seminars that introduce them to the scientific literature and conceptual foundations for each research theme. Specifically, students will be trained in taxonomic identification of ecologically important marine organisms including numerous planktonic taxa, seabirds, and reef fish. Furthermore, students will develop and practice discipline-­‐specific methodologies in graphical analysis, and data interpretation required to analyze and present the scientific data collected during the sea component. Integral to student success at sea is the preparation of their Oceanography Field Journal, an organized, concise summary and synthesis of their oceanography lecture notes, diagrams of important concepts, illustrations of various taxonomic groups and graphical approaches data display. This document becomes the students’ primary resource during the sea component and a repository of additional observations and knowledge gathered at sea. www.sea.edu Oceanography -­‐ 2 SEA Semester®: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean At Sea Watch standing: Students’ participation in Oceanography watch activities onboard ship will be assessed in on-­‐watch evaluations by SEA Assistant Scientists. Each student is an essential crewmember of the ship at sea. Excellent watch standers follow directions, work effectively as part of the watch team, show independence, demonstrate good judgment and leadership, and are a supportive, helpful, and reliable shipmate. Teamwork, management, and leadership, are essential skills of a successful watch stander and a student’s attitude and participation directly affect the physical progress of the voyage and the quantity and quality of science work that we can accomplish. Oceanography Skills Proficiency: During the sea component, students will be required to demonstrate skill proficiency in science lab procedures. They will gain a working familiarity with safety protocols, lab operations, data management, equipment deployment and recovery procedures, and sample analyses. These will be assessed via skills checklists and a lab practical at sea once the introductory phase of the sea component is complete. Research Theme Project Report and Presentation: During the sea component students will contribute ‘chapters’ to a final report documenting the scientific findings for each research theme. Each student will prepare a written Data Summary report and an Illustrated Feature for each research theme. Each Data Summary report includes a written description and interpretation (3-­‐4 pages) of observed patterns along with accompanying graphical displays of information and supporting bibliography. Each Illustrated Feature includes a detailed, labeled illustration and written summary of a chosen organism and piece of scientific instrumentation. In the final days of the cruise, students will collaborate on preparing and delivering summary presentations for each research theme. Details of this assignment will be discussed in the introductory class meeting. Expectations and Requirements: •
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Punctual attendance is required at every class meeting. Active participation in class discussion is expected. Late assignment submissions are not accepted. The policy on academic accuracy, quoted below, will be strictly followed in this class. The papers that you submit in this course are expected to be your original work. You must take care to distinguish your own ideas and knowledge from wording or substantive information that you derive from one of your sources. The term “sources” includes not only published primary and secondary material, but also information and opinions gained directly from other people and text that you cut and paste from any site on the Internet. The responsibility for learning the proper forms of citation lies with you. Quotations must be placed properly within quotation marks and must be cited fully. In addition, all paraphrased material must be acknowledged completely. Whenever ideas or facts are derived from your reading and research, the sources must be indicated. (Harvard Handbook for Students, 305) www.sea.edu Oceanography -­‐ 3 SEA Semester®: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean •
Considerations for use of internet sources: As you browse websites, assess their usefulness very critically. Who posted the information and why? Can you trust them to be correct? Authoritative? Unbiased? (It’s okay to use a biased source as long as you incorporate it knowingly and transparently into your own work.) Keep track of good sources that might be useful for subsequent assignments, and annotate in your bibliography any sites you cite. Your annotation should include the name of the author or organization originating any material that you reference. If you can’t identify the source, don’t use it! Text(s): Corso W. and P.S. Joyce. 1994. Oceanography. Springhouse Corporation, Springhouse, PA. Miller C.B. 2004. Biological Oceanography. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK. Nybakken J.M. and M. Bertness. 2005. Marine Biology, An Ecological Approach 6th ed. Benjamin Cummings. Ruppert, E.E. and R.D. Barnes. 1994. Invertebrate Zoology 6th ed. Saunders College Publishing, New York. Schell, J., 2010. Graphic Analysis and Interpretation for Marine Scientists – Excel and Ocean Data View. Sea Education Association. Segar, D.A. 2007. Introduction to Ocean Sciences 2nd ed. W.W. Norton & Company, NY. www.sea.edu Oceanography -­‐ 4 SEA Semester®: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean Course Calendar: Topic Readings/Assignments Due Week 1 (3 hours) – on shore at SEA campus in Woods Hole Introduction to CCC and Oceanography (OC) Training Seminar Topics: • Physical oceanography fundamentals • Geological oceanography fundamentals • Caribbean regional oceanography (with MEH) Readings: Selections from Corso and Joyce (1994) and Segar (2007). Pick research theme assignments. MBL Library Orientation Week 2 (3 hours) – on shore at SEA campus in Woods Hole Training Seminar Topics: • Chemical oceanography fundamentals • Production to pollution – nutrient cycles, eutrophication, algae blooms (with MEH) • Island biogeography/introductions (with MEH) Readings: Selections from Corso and Joyce (1994), Miller (2004), and Nybakken and Bertness (2005). Week 3 (3 hours) – on shore at SEA campus in Woods Hole Training Seminar Topics: • Biological oceanography fundamentals • Marine biological classification (with MEH) Readings: Selections from Corso and Joyce (1994), Miller (2004), and Nybakken and Bertness (2005). Week 4 (3 hours) – on shore at SEA campus in Woods Hole Training Seminar Topics: • Marine ecology population dynamics, food webs, trophic cascades (with MEH) • Taxonomic Identification Lab Readings: Selections from Corso and Joyce (1994), Miller (2004), Nybakken and Bertness (2005), and Ruppert and Barnes (1994). Week 5 (3 hours) – on shore at SEA campus in Woods Hole Training Seminar Topics: • Graphical Analysis and Interpretation Lab Readings: Selections from Schell (2010). Week 6 (3 hours) – on shore at SEA campus in Woods Hole Training Seminar Topics: • Cruise Research Plan/Briefing (with MEH) Readings: Cruise Track Research Plan www.sea.edu Oceanography -­‐ 5 SEA Semester®: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean Weeks 7 and 8 (35 hours) – at sea Phase I: • Introduction to the Shipboard Laboratory • Oceanographic Equipment Capabilities • Safe Deployment of Oceanographic Equipment Class Topics: • Sample Plan Design • Hydrowire Deployment Demonstration • Neuston Tow Deployment Demonstration • Biological Sample Processing Daily Reports 1st Skills Checklist On-­‐Watch Evaluation Weeks 9 and 10 (35 hours) – at sea Phase II: • Increased Responsibility for Lab Routines • Practice Deployments Class Topics: • ADCP – Currents and Vertical Migration • Sub-­‐Bottom Profiler-­‐Regional Geology-­‐Island Formation • Fluorometry – Chlorophyll Analysis • Spectroscopy – Nutrient Analysis Daily Reports 2nd Skills Checklist Lab Practical Exam On-­‐Watch Evaluation Weeks 11 and 12 (32 hours) – at sea Phase III: • Apprentice Lab Manager Daily Reports On-­‐Watch Evaluation Mentored research theme group work sessions Data Summary reports and Illustration Feature reports due. Symposium: Research theme Group Presentations www.sea.edu Oceanography -­‐ 6