Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 Course Title:   Intro to Oceanography

 Title Abbreviation:   INTRO TO OCEANOGRAPHY

 Department:    OCEA&

 Course #:    101

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    400702

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2021


 Course Description  

A survey of the extent and nature of the oceans including the contributions of the solid Earth, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere to their physical structure, chemical composition, and functioning. Field trips may be required. Lab included.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: ENGL 099 with a grade of "C" or higher (or placement into college-level English); and either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of "C" or higher.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
U of W Ocean 101
WSU T
WWU T

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Appreciate the importance of the oceans in determining the global enviroment.
  2. Understand the dynamic nature of the oceans.
  3. Be familiar with the ecology of the various zones of the ocean.
  4. Appreciate the global citizenship of each individual on an Earth whose continents are joined by a single ocean.
  5. Become comfortable with different learning styles by group activities in the classroom and on field trips.
  6. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Understand ocean responses to climate change.
  7. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Understand changes in the sea mammal communities in the Salish Sea.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. History of Oceanography
  3. Ocean basins
  4. Plate tectonics
  5. Origins of sea water
  6. Chemistry of sea water
  7. Waves, tides
  8. Shorelines
  9. Ecology of the oceanic zones
  10. Ocean resources