Your Oceanography Lab Professor’s Welcome Message

Hi and Welcome to MiraCosta’s OCEA101L - Introductory Oceanography Laboratory Course!

My name is Ray Rector, your oceanography laboratory instructor this Fall 2022 semester. I am pleased that you enrolled in this introductory oceanography course here at MiraCosta College – 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 ocean history, plate tectonics, seafloors, marine maps and charts, marine sediments, seawater properties, ocean circulation, waves, shorelines, marine life, marine resources, and marine environmental concerns. This course is very student-centered, hands-on, inquiry-based, and group oriented. To successfully complete this course, you must actively participate in one 3-hour lab each week (Tuesday afternoons), complete written laboratory assignments, take two exams, and go on ocean fieldtrips.

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 lab instructor, I will do my best to present the course curriculum to you, lead in thought- stimulating class lab activities and discussions, help you to successfully complete all the course activities, and finally, assess your lab work and practical exams. My goal and hope is that you achieve all the student learning outcomes in this introductory oceanography laboratory course and successfully (hopefully) get a good grade for doing it. You can always reach me by email at oceanprof@seascisurf.com

3) Lab Manual Information: This lab does not require the purchase of a lab manual.

4) The information (course content) that you need for successful learning in this course is found in two places: a) the instructor’s educational website, and the college Canvas course site. Below are more details about the course’s two websites:

The official school Canvas site is found at this URL: http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/distanceeducation/index.html

The instructor’s personal educational site - both available to for maximize your learning outcomes. This instructor’s 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, laboratory worksheets, PowerPoints, test and fieldtrip information, and numerous resource links.

4) Note that this laboratory science course does NOT require you to purchase a lab textbook or manual. However, you will be required to print out laboratory worksheets

5) 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 lab activities, 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, and 3) discussion board. 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).

It is my hope that you will enjoy this course this semester, and that you will learn a lot about our ocean. I look forward to meeting you during our first class.

Aloha,

Ray Rector