OCEANOGRAPHY - GEOL 309-EVPP 309-BIOL 309 - Fall 2023

Oct 6, 2026

Oceanography course information for GEOL 309-EVPP 309-BIOL 309 in Fall 2023, detailing class schedule, instructors, and official communication via GMU email. It outlines required materials, prerequisites for lab science course credit, and student-only participation rules using an iClicker handheld remote device (not the phone app). The document specifies course goals, learning outcomes across geological, chemical, physical, and biological oceanography, plus interdisciplinary topics like pollution and climate change. It also describes instruction methods, grading components (written tests, iClicker quizzes, participation), and exam policies including make-up limitations and device-free honor code expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Course Information

Instructors and Office Hours

Required Text and Prerequisites

Course Requirements

Course Goal, Learning Outcomes, and Logistics

Learning Outcomes

Method of Instruction

Methods of Evaluation

iClicker Quizzes and Participation

OCEANOGRAPHY GEOL 309-EVPP 309-BIOL 309 Fall 2023 T & R 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. David King Jr. Hall 1006 COURSE INFORMATION Instructors are available to meet typically right after class, during office hours, or by appointment. All official communication with instructors must be via GMU email. Dr. Randy McBride 3452 Exploratory Hall Office hours: Tues & Thurs: 4:30 to 5:30 pm (immediately after class on the days I teach or by appointment) Email: [rmcbride@gmu.edu](rmcbride@gmu.edu) [Dr. Diego Valderrama 3033 David King Hall](Dr. Diego Valderrama 3033 David King Hall) Office hours: Fridays, 2 to 4 pm, or by appointment Email: [dvalder@gmu.edu](dvalder@gmu.edu) Required Text: Trujillo, A.P. and Thurman, H.V., 2020. Essentials of Oceanography. 13th edition, ISBN: 13: 978013489152-1 Prerequisites: Two of the following lab science courses are required for a total of 8 credits (must have at least two of the following courses): [GEOL 101 or 102], [EVPP 110 or 111 or 210], [BIOL 103 or 213], CHEM 211, and/or [PHYS 160 and 161 or 243 and 244] . This Oceanography course (GEOL 309-EVPP 309-BIOL 309) is for science majors and science minors only. Course requirements: Attendance at lectures, reading of textbook chapters, completion of three written examinations, completion of iClicker quizzes, and iClicker class participation. Also, each student is required to have an iClicker handheld remote device, NOT the phone app, in order to participate in the iClicker quizzes and class participation. COURSE GOAL, LEARNING OUTCOMES, AND COURSE LOGISTICS Goal: Explores the geological, chemical, physical, and biological aspects of the global oceans. Learning outcomes for Oceanography: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of geological oceanography by learning about plate tectonics, ocean basin formation, seafloor provinces, and marine sediments. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of chemical oceanography by learning about the chemical and physical properties of seawater. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of physical oceanography by learning about air-sea interactions (e.g., hurricanes), global ocean circulation, wave dynamics, and tides. GEOL-EVPP-BIOL 309, Fall 2023 4. Demonstrate an understanding of biological oceanography by learning about marine life, marine environments, biological productivity and energy transfer, animals of the pelagic environment, and animals of the benthic environment. 5. Demonstrate an understanding of interdisciplinary oceanography by learning about marine pollution and climate change. Method of instruction: Lectures presented by course instructors will include textbook material supplemented by information from peer-review and online resources. Students are expected to read textbook chapters and review lecture PowerPoint slides outside of class. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the covered material. Furthermore, classroom participation will be supplemented by iClicker questions (i.e., quizzes and participation) . Methods of evaluation: Three written tests are given. Questions may include multiple choice, matching, fill-in the blanks, definitions, and essay-type questions. Each of the three written tests is worth 25% of your grade. The final exam may include comprehensive questions. Also, eight iClicker quizzes will be given during the course of the semester, as well as various graded iClicker participation questions (NOTE: see additional details about iClicker quizzes and participation below). Lecture exams may include all textbook and lecture material (including text readings, PowerPoint slides, videos, handouts, etc.) . All exams must be taken as scheduled. Make-ups will not be given, unless for exceptional circumstances and only if scheduled PRIOR to the exam date with a legitimate excuse (e.g., signed doctor's excuse). Make-ups exams will be all essay. Otherwise, any missed exams will be scored a zero. In addition, all electronic devices must be turned off and put

FAQs

How should students communicate with the instructors, and when are office hours?

All official communication must be via GMU email. Office hours are listed for Dr. Randy McBride (Tues/Thurs 4:30–5:30 p.m.) and Dr. Diego Valderrama (Fridays 2–4 p.m.), with additional appointments by arrangement.

What are the prerequisites and required learning materials for Oceanography?

Two of the listed lab science courses are required for a total of 8 credits, including at least two from GEOL 101/102, EVPP 110/111/210, BIOL 103/213, CHEM 211, and PHYS 160/161 or 243/244. The required text is Essentials of Oceanography (13th edition), ISBN 978013489152-1.

How are grades calculated, and what role do iClicker quizzes and participation play?

Three written tests are each worth 25% of the grade, and the final exam may include comprehensive questions. Eight iClicker quizzes are given, with the two lowest quiz grades dropped; the quiz average is worth 15%. iClicker participation questions contribute 10%, graded on participation rather than correctness.

Oct 6, 2026

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