INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY is an introduction to the geological, physical, chemical, c biological and environmental processes that occur in the oceans. Among the vital topics
addressed are the historical perspectives of oceanography, the intertidal zones, plate tectonics,
islands, plankton and nekton, marine mammals and pollution.
Instructor
Rob Fitch
Biology Department
Wenatchi Hall 2332
Office hours: M-Th 7-4
(509) 682-6755
FAX: (509) 682-6541
E-mail: rfitch@wvc.edu
Website: http://commons.wvc.edu/rfitch
Materials needed for the course
Text(s): 1. Garrison, Tom. 2010. Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine
Science, 7th ed. Thomson, Brooks/Cole Publishers.
ISBN: 978-0-495-39193-7
2. Billeter, Paul & Robert Given. 2010. The Endless Voyage
Study Guide. 4th ed. Thomson, Brooks/Cole &
INTELECOM.
ISBN: 978-1-4390-4552-7
DVD set: 3. Oceanography: "The Endless Voyage".
You may purchase these at the WVC bookstore. You may also purchase the DVD set online at: www.intelecomstore.org You may also purchase video streams or video downloads. The cost is the same for any of these choices.
Books & DVDs are available at the WVC campus bookstore.
How to take a telecourse
Students who enroll in telecourse classes must have extensive self-discipline and self-
motivation. You will be required to self-study most of the course content on your own. To be
successful, you should expect to expend just as much effort and time on your telecourse class
as you would for an on-campus class. The telecourse instructor’s role is learning consultant
and facilitator, with less emphasis on creating motivation in the learner and explaining concepts
in depth. If you do not feel you can succeed without continual reliance upon an instructor, this
telecourse may not be right for you.
Instructor’s personal statement
I am a full-time Biology professor here at Wenatchee Valley College. I have been here since the
fall of 1989. I received my B.A. in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara
in 1980 and my M.Sc. in Biology from the University of British Columbia in 1986. Prior to
arriving at WVC, I worked for 3 years as the Program Director for Catalina Island Marine
Institute, an outdoor education facility in Southern California. In addition to teaching at WVC, I
teach in the summers at Walla Walla University’s Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory in the San
Juan Islands of Washington. Marine Biology & Oceanography are my first loves in Biology.
During this quarter, I hope you will gain the same passion for the ocean world as I have!
Course outcomes/goals and objectives
1. To investigate the marine environment in terms of basic scientific concepts.
2. To present information of scientific interest & public concern regarding the ocean.
3. To emphasize the interaction of the living world and the physical environment.
We will utilize 26 required “The Endless Voyage” DVD lessons (30 minutes each) and assigned
readings in the text and study guide. You are also strongly encouraged to stop by my office or
call me when you need help understanding the material or when you have questions regarding
the course, deadlines, exams, etc.
***READ & FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN THE STUDY GUIDE TO PREPARE FOR EXAMS. IT IS
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE 1 PAGE OF NOTES FROM THE STUDY GUIDE, 1
PAGE FROM THE READINGS IN THE TEXT AND 1 PAGE FROM THE DVD. DVDS SHOULD BE
WATCHED AT LEAST TWICE!!!
Course schedule
UNIT DATES STUDY GUIDE CHAPTERS & VIDEOS
SAT. 1/7 Orientation 9:00 AM. - 10:30 AM
@ WVC Campus in Wenatchi Hall 2217
UNIT I 1/7 - 1/23 Study guide chapters & DVDs 1-6
MON. 1/23 EXAM 1
UNIT 2 1/24 - 2/6 Study guide chapters & DVDs 7-11
MON. 2/6 EXAM 2
UNIT 3 2/7 - 2/21 Study guide chapters & DVDs 12-16
TUES 2/21 EXAM 3
UNIT 4 2/22 – 3/5 Study guide chapters & DVDs 17-21
MON. 2/27 ***EXTRA CREDIT PAPER DUE ! ! !***
(Mail in or drop off in my office in 2332)
MON. 3/5 EXAM 4
UNIT 5 3/6 – 3/19 Study guide chapters & DVDs 22-26
MON. 3/19 EXAM 5
Evaluation and grading policy
There will be 5 exams worth 100 points each. Exams are scheduled every 2 weeks at the end of
each Unit. A Unit will consist of 5 or 6 chapters from the Study Guide, specific readings from the
textbook and 5 or 6 video lessons. You will need a Scan-tron sheet (available in the bookstore)
for each of these exams. Due dates for taking and submitting these exams are shown on the
attached schedule. You may work ahead of the suggested schedule and take exams up to 1
week in advance of the scheduled exam date. Please contact me if you cannot take a test when
it is scheduled. AN INCOMPLETE GRADE WILL NOT BE GIVEN FOR THIS COURSE!
Grades are then earned according to the following percentage scale:
93-100 = A 83-87 = B 70-77 = C 63-65 = D
90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 68-69 = C- 60-62 = D-
88-89 = B+ 78-79 = C+ 66-67 = D+ <59 = F
* * *Students MUST take exams on the day and date scheduled. Failure to take an exam on a
scheduled day will result in the loss of 10 points each day late without email notification and
permission of the instructor to reschedule the exam!
Cheating
Cheating will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating, you will be given an “F” for the
course. Cheating includes (but is not limited to): copying someone’s answers on a test or quiz,
letting someone copy answers from your test or quiz, copying someone’s assignment & calling
it your own, letting someone copy your assignment, informing other students of quiz or test
material, using assignments/reports/papers for this course which have been or will be used for
this or other courses, and plagiarism (copying information from a written or electronic source--
such as the Internet--without giving credit to the author).
Course policies
Regular viewing of the DVDs, reading of the required text and work in the study guide is
necessary for the student to successfully accomplish the goals of the course. Please contact
me as soon as possible if there is a conflict, illness, etc., so that appropriate arrangements may
be made to complete an assignment. You may phone me on campus (682-6755) or at home up
until 8:00 p.m. at 662-5589.
Students’ rights and responsibilities
RIGHTS
You have the right to expect that your instructor will:
· provide a comprehensive syllabus and course calendar
· display all due dates for readings, tests, and papers
· grade or otherwise respond to all tests and papers in a timely manner
· inform you of your current grade and relative class standing upon request
· respond to all appropriate questions
· behave in a professional manner, respecting you as an individual of intelligence and sensitivity
RESPONSIBILITIES
As students, you have the responsibility to:
· behave to all others in the class in a professional manner, being especially careful in e-mail and
other electronic communications to avoid personal attacks, harsh criticisms, and
objectionable language
· pay attention to the course calendar, keep up with the course work, submit your work in on
time, and support your group members to establish a genuine learning community
Submitting assignments
On-campus students may take exams on the above-scheduled days from 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in
my office (Wenatchi Hall 2332).
Off-campus students please return all exams and assignments directly to me at WVC. (Your
proctor will be provided with self-addressed, stamped envelopes for this purpose.)
Special populations office
The Disability Support Services Office has been designated by the college as the primary office
to guide, coach and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services (or think you
should) through that office and require accommodations for this class, make an appointment
with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Bring your
Instructor Notification and Request form provided by the Special Populations Coordinator to the
appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in strictest confidence unless you
give me written permission to do otherwise. If you need a referral to that office or have further
questions, I will be available to assist you. The Special Populations Coordinator will require
appropriate documentation of disability. The use of that office is voluntary.