Principles of Oceanography

School  Natural Sciences
Academic Unit
 Geology Department
Level of Studies
 Undergraduate
Course Code
 GEOL_003
Εξάμηνο σπουδών  1ο
Course Title
 Principles of Oceanography 
Independent Teaching Activities
 Lectures, Laboratory Work
Weekly Teaching Hours
 2(L), 2(LW)
Credits  5
Course Type
 General knowledge, Scientific Area, Skills development
Prerequisite Courses
 No
Language of Instruction & Examinations
 Greek. Teaching may be however performed in English in case that foreign students attend the course
Is the Course offered to Erasmus Students
 Υes
Course Web-Page (URL)  https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/GEO369/
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course , the students will be able to:

  • Define, explain and summarize the basic principles of Oceanography
  • Analyze and evaluate scientific data to create a conclusion about oceanographic processes
  • Clarify the dynamics of the oceans
  • Discuss and combine techniques for the management of the oceans
General Competences
  • Data retrieval, analysis and synthesis of data and information through the use of new information technologies
  • Adapting to new situations.
  • Decision making.
  • Individual work
  • Production of new research ideas.
  • Respect for the natural environment.
  • Promotion of free, creative and inductive way of thinking 
Syllabus

Theory

  • Introduction to the oceans, including a history of oceanography and its early development
  • Practices and methods in oceanography
  • Introduction to the study of the seafloor and marine sediments
  • Geological aspects related to ocean basins
  • Basic properties of the oceans

Laboratory

  • Navigation and positioning in the sea, production of maps related to the seafloor relief
  • Analysis and interpretation of marine sediments
  • Analysis and interpretation of physical properties of sea water (temperature, salinity, density)
Delivery  In classroom and in laboratory (face-to-face)
Use of Information & Communication Technology
  • Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) (power point) in teaching
  • Support of Learning Process and Dissemination of educational material through the e_class  platform.
Teaching Methods
 
Activity Semester workload
Lectures (2 conduct hours per week x 13 weeks)  2X13 = 26 (hours)
Laboratory work (2 conduct hours per week x 13 weeks)  2X13 =26 (hours)
Individual Study 34 (hours) 
Interpretation and writing of the exercises   3X13 =39 (hours)
 Total number of hours for the Course  125
 Student Performance Evaluation

Ι. Theory

  • Final Exam, written, of increasing difficulty, which may include Multiple choice test, Questions of brief answer, Questions to develop a topic, Judgment questions and Exercise solving.
  • Students are obliged to attend all scheduled laboratory classes and to deliver all the laboratory exercises, during the semester in order to be able to participate to the final exams.
  • Marking Scale: 0-10.
  • Minimum Passing Mark: 5.

ΙΙ. Laboratory

  • Students are obliged to attend all laboratory classe and to deliver the results of all exercises.
  • Maximum number of non delivered laboratory exercises: 3  
Attached Bibliography

Books :

  1. «Μηχανική των ωκεανών», υπό Παπαθεοδώρου Γ., Φερεντίνος Γ., Γεραγά Μ., Εκδόσεις Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών, ISBN: 978-960-530-142-2, Ιστότοποι,

Relative scientific journals:

  1. Marine Geology
  2. Deep-Sea Research
  3. Journal of Physical Oceanography
  4. Global and Planetary Change.