ES 491 - Oceanography of Puget Sound

ESCI 491 – Oceanography of Puget Sound - Syllabus - Winter 2009

Lecture Location: CF 231	Instructor: David H. Shull (Homepage)
Meeting time: MTWR 9 – 9:50 AM	Office: ES 445, ext. 3690
CRN: 3952	Office hours: M 10 AM-12 PM, W 10 AM-2 PM
	Email: david.shull@wwu.edu

Objectives:

1: Detailed examination of physical, chemical and biological processes in Puget Sound

2: Study advanced topics in estuarine circulation considering Puget Sound as a model system

3: Use physical and computer models to investigate estuarine circulation processes

4: Apply problem-solving skills to a regional environmental problem in Puget Sound integrating oceanography and environmental policy

5: Practice communicating scientific principles to a non-science audience through oral and written assignments

6: Prepare a resume and cover letter and study options for employment or further study following graduation from Western

Course Topics: Circulation in Puget Sound, physical and mathematical models, current environmental issues in Puget Sound

Prerequisites: ESCI 321, senior status in Huxley College, calculus and physics strongly recommended

Course Web Site: I will use the course web site for posting the syllabus, lectures, homework assignments, reading assignments, answers to exam questions and course announcements. http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~shulld/es497OPS

Evaluation Guidelines:

Examinations	30%
Homework problems and career assignment	20%
Final report	40%
Oral presentation	10%

Approximate Grading Scale:

93-100 A	90-92 A-	88-89 B+	83-87 B	80-82 B-	78-79 C+
73-77 C	69-72 C-	67-68 D+	61-66 D	57-60 D-	0-56 F

Components of Student Evaluation:

Exams: Two in-class examinations will cover topics from lecture and homework assignments.

Career assignment: Professional resume and cover letter, two-page report on one graduate school and one environmental consulting firm or environmental agency. The grad school information will include: Specific field of study, entrance requirements, names and specialties of professors in area of interest, financial aid opportunities, general application process and deadlines. The environmental consulting firm or agency information will include: Copy of job announcement, general information about the company from the internet and a version of your general cover letter that has been tailored for the advertised position.

Homework: Two large problem sets on the use of box models and other quantitative tools and perhaps a few smaller problem sets to be posted on the course web site. Completed assignments will be turned in during class.

Final Report: The report will focus on a regional environmental problem in Puget Sound to be selected by the instructor. Students will work in groups of four to five. Each report will apply tools of oceanography, and problem-solving skills to address the particular problem, considering both scientific and policy components of the problem. The instructor will grade the completed document. In addition, students will be required to provide letter grades for each of their team members to the instructor. The criteria for determining this grade are: 1) professional attitude; 2) quality of the product; 3) contribution to the task group effort; 4) cooperation with the members of the task force; 5) performance in the oral presentation; and 6) persistence and dependability. The final grade for the report will have two components: overall report quality (50%), team member evaluation (50%).

Oral presentation: You will need to provide a cogent summary of your findings. You will be graded on the content as well as quality of your presentation. (See presentation grading rubric for details.) PowerPoint presentations are not necessarily the best option in this regard. Presentations should be 15 minutes in length and prime the audience for a ~10-minute discussion.