The World Ocean

Course Description

Summary

Covering 70% of Earth’s surface, it is no surprise that the ocean is an important component of the natural Earth system. However, what might be surprising is that the role of the ocean extends well beyond sustaining the global water cycle and marine ecosystems. For instance, the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the surface ocean is the first step to moving carbon to long term storage as sediment on the ocean floor in the carbon cycle. Additionally, the movement of energy via ocean currents and waves influence things such as hurricane tracks, regional climate, and coastal erosion. In this course, we will explore the physical, chemical, and spatial characteristics of the world ocean and the influence these characteristics have on the broader Earth system, including our very own “humansphere”. Our investigation will involve the analysis and interpretation of relevant data and graphs; we will also discuss how these data are obtained, analyzed, and presented. Students should therefore be comfortable with mathematical and scientific notations and visuals (e.g., equations and graphs). Students will also be expected to read and discuss several scientifically-focused articles throughout the semester.