Overview

• Provide a conceptual model of the physical systems of the oceans.
• Introduce the basic dynamical balances that govern ocean circulation.
• Demonstrate the links between ocean circulation and climate.
• Examine the influence of biological activity and ocean circulation on ocean chemistry.
• Understand how material formed and added to surface waters is recycled or added to underlying sediments.
• Gain experience and skills in laboratory techniques relevant to an understanding of ocean chemistry.
• Gain experience and skills in laboratory techniques relevant to the flow of water, waves and density currents and basic dynamics.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (equivalent to D- grade) Attend practical sessions .Basic understanding, gained from taught material, practicals and directed reading, under examination conditions.Basic ability to appreciate and describe the processes that influence the concentration and distribution of elements in ocean waters and underlying sediments. Basic appreciation of the concept of calibration in analytical chemistry and interpretation of data generated during laboratory experiments.

Good - (equivalent to B grade) Attend practical sessions and perform practical work and analysis of data in a competent manner.Demonstrate a good knowledge, gained from taught material, practicals and directed reading, under examination conditions and an ability to use this knowledge to answer unseen questions.Able to appreciate and describe the processes that influence the concentration and distribution of elements in ocean waters and underlying sediments. Able to appreciate the concept of calibration in analytical chemistry and interpretation of data generated during laboratory experiments.

Excellent - (equivalent to A grade) Attend practical sessions and carry out experimental work carefully and in an enquiring manner.Demonstrate a thorough knowledge, gained from taught material, practicals and directed reading, of taught material under exam conditions and be able to extrapolate or use additional information obtained by independent reading.Considerable appreciation and clear ability to describe the processes that influence the concentration and distribution of elements in ocean waters and underlying sediments. Considerable appreciation the concept of calibration in analytical chemistry and interpretation of data generated during laboratory experiments.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate and describe the processes that influence the concentration and distribution of elements in ocean waters and underlying sediments.

• Appreciate the role of dynamical concepts, including inertia and earth rotation effects on Ocean currents

• Appreciate the role of the ocean in climate change

• Be able to describe the way in which measurements are made within the ocean

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the water masses and circulation of the Oceans

• Master some simple laboratory techniques associated with the chemical analysis of seawater