Oceanography
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
Oceans cover seventy percent of the Earth’s surface, regulating our climate and maintaining our atmosphere. They also contain virtually all the known chemical elements. This course deals with their physics, chemistry and biology, as well as the structure of the basins that contain them – covering topics like underwater volcanoes; the greenhouse effect; eddy systems; the El Niño phenomenon and its link to droughts and floods; and the global view of ocean properties that satellite technology can provide. This is a wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary course for anyone interested in the natural world.
Course content
- Is the sea-level really rising?
- Why are there hot springs in the deep sea?
- Why did a patriotic Briton try to prove that Rockall was inhabitable?
If you would like to know the answers to these and similar questions, Oceanography is the course for you.
Oceanography is a ‘whole Earth’ science: the oceans interact continuously with the solid Earth and the atmosphere, and are the setting for much of the planet’s biological production. The Earth sciences, physics, chemistry and biology are all prominent in the course, because their interrelationship in the marine environment is the essence of oceanography.
A large proportion of the course is presented in a series of six volumes prepared by the course team and published in association with Butterworth-Heinemann. The other element is a set book, Biological Oceanography: an Introduction.
Book 1 The ocean basins – their structure and evolution is an introduction to the oceans and the ocean basins. It considers the ocean as a resource, the structure and composition of ocean crust and the effects of hydrothermal circulation.
Book 2 Seawater – its composition, properties and behaviour is about the composition, temperature and density of seawater, in particular with respect to different water masses; also the transmission of light and sound in the oceans.
Book 3 Ocean circulation – examines surface and deep currents, with emphasis on interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, and the importance of the ocean for climate.
Book 4 Waves, tides and shallow-water processes– looks at the classification of deep-water and shallow-water waves; tides and tidal behaviour; the principles of sediment transport and deposition; tidal flats and estuaries; deltas; the beach zone; and the continental shelf.
Book 5 Marine biogeochemical cycles– describes the supply of terrigenous sediments to the deep sea, how the marine sedimentary record can be used to obtain information about past ocean environments and climate, and chemical fluxes and cycles in the ocean.
The course is designed to provide a scientific basis for:
- understanding the oceanic environment and its interactions with the atmosphere and the solid Earth; how the oceans have changed with time, and the rates at which fundamental processes operate in the oceans
- demonstrating the role and importance of the main scientific disciplines in oceanography, and the relationships between them
- understanding the observational, experimental and theoretical methods that have led to our present knowledge of the geology of the ocean crust, the physical and chemical characteristics of ocean water, and marine ecology
- understanding the dependence and effects of humans on the oceans
- developing your skills in using data from more than one discipline in the analysis of oceanographic problems, and in the discussion and use of scientific information from recent oceanographic research papers.
Entry
This course will appeal to anyone who is interested in the natural world, particularly those concerned about environmental issues or interested in the idea of the Earth as a system. From a vocational point of view, teachers, mariners, meteorologists and environmentalists will all find the course useful. The most challenging feature is the course’s emphasis on the multidisciplinary approach essential to a proper understanding of the marine environment. It is ideal for those who do not like their science cramped by the straitjacket of specialisation.
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with The Open University. Since this course draws strongly on each of the four main science disciplines – physics, chemistry, biology and Earth sciences – you are strongly advised to obtain a good pass in Environmental science (S216) or at least two Level 2 science courses – preferably in different disciplines – before attempting it. You should also feel comfortable with maths of the standard reached in Exploring science (S104) and Maths for science (S151).
It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S330? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed or printed from the Are you ready for science? website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
The following books would be useful reading prior to taking the course:
Denny, M. (2008) How the Ocean Works: An Introduction to Oceanography, Princeton University Press
T.Garrison (2001) Oceanography: an Invitation to Marine Science, Thomson Learning
M. Grant Gross, E. Grant Gross (1995) Oceanography: a View of Earth, Prentice-Hall
P.R. Pinet (1999) Invitation to Oceanography, Jones and Bartlett Publisher International
K. Stowe (1996) Exploring Ocean Science, Wiley
H. V. Thurman, A. P. Trujillo (2004) Essentials of Oceanography, Pearson Higher Education, Prentice Hall
Qualifications
S330 is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Environmental Studies (B19)
- BSc (Honours) Geosciences (B25)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- BSc (Honours) Molecular Science (B26)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- BSc (Honours) Environmental Science (B52)
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Geosciences (E02)
- Diploma in Molecular Science (E03)
- Diploma in Life Sciences (E05)
- MSc in Earth Science (F53)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course includes relatively complex visual material which has all been carefully described and recorded, along with readings of the texts on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. The printed course materials are also available in comb-bound format or as Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions. However, some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, diagrammatic or foreign language material may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other formats may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, ocean floor maps, course website containing essential course components, e.g. assignments, that you may choose to print out.
You will need
A calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Lalli, Carol M. Biological Oceanography (2nd edn), Butterworth-Heinemann £33.99 - ISBN 9780750633840
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download Recognition leaflets 3.4 Chartered Institution of Water and Environment Management and 3.8 Scientific Institutions, or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for copies to be sent to you.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011 when it will be available for the last time.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Science.
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