Oceans 320

Sec 3
TuTh 1400-1515
By Dr. Dorman
Introduction
Overview
Important Details
Oceanography: Geological, Chemical, Physical, Biological
 ƒ Get onto SDSU Blackboard
system today
ƒ Web access points include
SDSU library, GMCS 108
ƒ Announcements, documents,
grades, optional lab
experiments
ƒ Check announcements before
every class for time limited,
online quiz, etc

New to Blackboard? Go to
http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/gettingstarted/loggingin.html
Document
On
Blackboard
 On Blackboard & Handout,
Library Reserve

Cheap Used Books

via Net
&
Limited copies in
Library Loan
 Optional RP Oceans Lab
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/
classes/oc320/oceanslab.html
Camera

Ocean
Web

http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/classes/oc320/oceanswebcam.html
 And, maybe some 5 pt quizzes on Blackboard
Document
On
Blackboard
 Schedule
Document
On
Blackboard
 Schedule
Document
On
Blackboard

Bring protractor
to class
8 Sept
 3 Exams – Most of grade

ƒ In classroom - split, 2nd 3 Big Dates:

phase group/notes
ƒ Acceptable reasons for October 1, Class
missing require November 5, Class
documentation
December 15,
ƒ Single group make-up
Time 1300
with in 7-days
ƒ No make-up for BE HERE
unacceptable missing
 3 Big Exam Dates:
EMAIL MOM TODAY
If unrefundable tickets
are bought,
You will get choose:
October 1, Class
trip or grade November 5, Class
December 15, Time 1300

BE HERE
Do NOT Leave Town
Unless you are back
3 days before
SD - Fog 16 % &
Airline storm delay Big Wedding/Event ?
3-days Take another
Class
 On The Spot Surveys

In preparation
Make one large letter of
A, B, C, D or E
on separate 3x5 cards.

Bring them to class.

- multiple choice question
- hold up a card with your
answer
End of Administrative Details

Now Starting Real Ocean Stuff

 Science
ƒ This course is supposed to be an example
ƒ The rise of science – late 1600’s
physical evidence, logic
replacement of non-physical considerations
some western societal influences:
democracy
evidence based law
- end of witchcraft trials by 1700
ƒ The scientific method
 Evidence : must be of the
The Scientific Method physical world, testable

ƒ Hypothesis
a working explanation
Increasing may be NO evidence, or some evidence
Evidence, possible that it is wrong
time ƒ Theory
considerable evidence in support, no
serious against
well accepted
some time tested, not discovered yesterday
ƒ Law
extensive evidence in support
no known evidence against
highly accepted
long time tested
ƒ The practice
1. have or make some observations
2. make a hypothesis
3. test hypothesis with observations
4. adjust hypothesis
5. make more observations
6. go back to 3.
 An Application: Evolution
ƒ Public misunderstanding of “Theory” vs hypothesis
ƒ Theory of Evolution – in a nutshell
Best explanation
No serious conflicting evidence
Overwhelmingly accepted & used by Biologists
Exclusively invoked by research scientists
ƒ No plausible competing explanation based upon
evidence
“Intelligent” Design cannot be used in scientific manor
as cannot be used for research or understanding of details
ƒ Mutually supported by other fields as:
Geology
Nuclear Physics - time
Agriculture – breeding animals & plants
Medicine – disease, pharmaceuticals, gene therapy
 Back to Oceanography,
Starting with a quick look at today
……

Modern Ocean Field Program

Ships
 Automated
Measurements, in
or on the water
Aircraft
Satellite
Computer Based,
Numerical Models
A modern research program in the
Japan Sea
1999-2000
(mine)
 The End
ƒ What is Oceanography
ƒ About this OC 320 class, Exams, points
ƒ Blackboard use and communication
ƒ The Scientific Method
ƒ Examples of modern Oceanographic
Exploration
Bring Protractor (angle measure) to class
Tuesday, 8 Sept

Take Crashers Now