Physical, chemical, and geological aspects of the marine 
environment are discussed. The course will provide students 
with an understanding of basic knowledge about the geological 
evolution of ocean basins, the composition of seawater and 
chemical cycles that control biological processes, and 
physical principles behind waves, tides, and currents. Near-
shore and estuarine processes, issues regarding the impacts of 
society on ocean systems, and the role of oceans in climate 
change will be presented.  
This course is intended to satisfy the Physical Science 
requirement for non-science degree candidates, as well as the 
Environmental literacy requirement.

Introduction and History of Ocean Sciences
The Early Earth and Ocean		
Properties of Water and The Hydrologic Cycle	
Earth’s Heat Budget			
Earth's Rotation and the Coriolis Force	
Atmosphere/Ocean Processes 		
El Nino					
Thermohaline and Vertical Circulation				
Wind Driven Circulation  - Ekman Transport and Surface Currents	
Wind Waves	 	
Long Period Waves - Internal, Tsunami	
Tides		
Ocean Chemistry		
Biogeochemistry: The Biological Pump	
The Sun and Ocean Chemistry		
Beaches and Coastlines
The Sea Floor and its Sediments		
Cold Seeps and Hot Vents 		
Plate Tectonics 
Paleoceanography	
Human Impacts: Pollution and Oil Spills
Humans Impact: Water Quality		
Humans and Coastal Ecosystems: Eutrophication		
Global Climate Change 
The Polar Ocean and Earth Systems Modeling

It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the University of Georgia's
policy on academic honesty as published in the booklet
A Culture of Honesty:  Policies and Procedures on Academic Honesty.  Evidence of
academic dishonesty will be turned over to the Office
of the Vice President for Academic Affairs for consideration and possible action. 
The minimum penalty for student(s) found quilty of
academic dishonesty is a grade of "F" in the course and a note on the student's
transcript.  There have been several recent changes in the
academic honesty policy at UGA.  This information is available on-line at
[http://www.uga.edu/~vpaa].  Click on the UGA Academic 
Honesty Policy statement.