Your Oceanography Professor’s Welcome Message

Hi and Welcome to MiraCosta’s OCEA101-TuTh Oceanography Lecture Course!

My name is Ray Rector, your oceanography lecture instructor. Congratulations for enrolling in this introductory oceanography course here at MiraCosta College this Spring 2020 semester – you picked a great marine science program!

Here’s the general overview of this course:

1) Over the next 16 weeks, you will be studying all the major aspects of oceanography, including the origin of the ocean, plate tectonics, seafloors, marine sediments, seawater properties, atmospheric and ocean circulation, waves, shorelines, marine life, marine resources, and marine environmental concerns. To successfully complete this course, you must actively participate in two 1.25-hour lectures each week, take a set of quizzes and exams, and complete a research writing assignment. The information (course content) that you need for successful learning in this course is found in several places: a) your free and/or pay textbook, b) instructor’s PowerPoints and lecture notes found at my website, c) the college’s online electronic oceanography textbook, d) other instructor- directed website links, d) numerous website and online article links that will be given in class and in the assignment instructions, e) the college Canvas course site, and f) direct personal communication with me during class time, office hours, and on fieldtrips. You may also do a variety of extra credit work for additional course points by going on voluntary weekend field trips and doing supplementary research assignments.

2) I am primarily your course content facilitator and learning outcome assessor – I’m here as your guide to the wonderful world of ocean science. As your instructor, I will do my best to present the course curriculum to you, lead in thought- stimulating class discussions, help you to successfully complete all the course activities, and finally, assess your assignments and tests. My goal and hope is that you achieve all the student learning outcomes in this introductory oceanography course and successfully (hopefully) get a good grade for doing it. You can always reach me by email at oceanprof@seascisurf.com

3) There is a course website - maintained by the instructor for maximizing your learning outcomes. This website is found at:

http://www.seascisurf.com Once there, click on the

button to access our classroom web page.

Here you will find a plethora of helpful information, including course syllabus, schedule, lecture notes, PowerPoints, test and fieldtrip information, and numerous resource links.

4) This course also has a Canvas webpage which is at the following URL: http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/distanceeducation/index.html

5) Note that this course does NOT require you to purchase a textbook. The optional, but highly recommended hardcopy oceanography textbook - or eText - can be purchased online. Below is the text info:

_{OPTIONAL, BUT HIGHLY, RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:}

_{Essentials of Oceanography, 12}^th _{or 11}^th _{Edition; Authors: Trujillo & Thurman}

Publisher: Prentice Hall  

12th Ed: ISBN-13 9780134073545

or

11th Ed: ISBN-13: 9780321814050

The eText version of this book is fairly inexpensive and handy with electronic devices. Directions for access to Pearson eText for Essentials of Oceanography, 12 edition are found below.  This eTextbook is simple to use on computers or iOS and Android mobile devices (even offline). You can take notes and highlights within the eText; they are added to your virtual notebook, where you can organize them for the way you study.

1) Go to: https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/vzjfcf;

2) Create a Pearson Account or sign in if you already have one; and

3) Purchase instant access online or redeem your access code (temporary access is also available). 

6) There is also another electronic oceanography textbook made available through the college – FOR FREE!! - that closely mirrors both the optional hardcopy textbook and the course schedule of study. This website is titled “Oceanography 101” and its found at:

http://gotbooks.miracosta.edu/oceans/index.html

Please make the most of this very valuable learning resource.

7) Your typical academic work agenda for each week will include: a) reading a chapter or two in your hardcopy textbook (and/or electronic textbook; b) viewing an “Endless Voyage” streaming video lesson; c) reviewing my lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations; d) visiting and browsing several educational websites; d) working on your written research assignment, e) attending two lectures on campus, and f) taking a quiz on the Canvas course web page.

8) The course Syllabus - an Important Must-Read Document - is basically the official course contract between me (the instructor) and you (the student). This is where all the course information and logistics are found. Things like textbook information, enrollment, attendance, and grading policies, are all found in the syllabus. The syllabus also includes the course Schedule which is important for keeping your studies on a timely track – things like assignment, tests, and fieldtrip due dates are all there.

9) Contacting me: Don't be shy when it comes to communicating with me or your fellow students. There are several means of communication: 1) during class, 2) email, 3) discussion board, 4) phone, and 5) fieldtrip meetings. As a general rule, I can be quickly contacted by email through the “Mail” link, or via my personal email at oceanprof@seascisurf.com (I check for messages at least once a day, typically several times).

I think that you will enjoy this course this semester, and that you will learn a lot about our ocean. Let’s make the most of it! Look forward to meeting you in class.

Aloha,

Ray Rector