This course is temporarily not being taught

20270 Oceanography

Credits: 6 intermediate credits in Geology or in Chemistry or in Life Sciences

Prerequisites: none

Required: Introduction to Earth Sciences or Secrets of the Earth, Introduction to Life Sciences, General Chemistry

Oceanography is an interdisciplinary branch of science that deals with the geological, chemical, physical and biological aspects of oceans. The study of oceans, which has recently undergone impressive development, enriches human knowledge and contributes to an understanding of the interrelated oceanic processes. This course enables students to enter this world.

Topics: Introduction to Oceanography – the science of Oceanography, history of oceanic exploration, man and the ocean. Geological aspects – marine provinces, physiography of ocean basins, the ocean floor, the oceanic crust; oceanic sedimentation, shallow and deep ocean sediments. Chemical aspects – the chemical composition of seawater and marine deposits; the effect of biogeochemical processes on seawater chemistry and sediments; evolution of the oceans. Physical aspects – air-sea interaction, ocean circulation, wind waves, tides, tsunami. Biological aspects – the marine ecosystem: primary production in the ocean; the food chain; pelagic and benthic environments.

One mandatory laboratory session, conducted on the Open University campus, demonstrates the properties of ocean water and sediments. Two mandatory one-day field trips illustrate various aspects of Oceanography: one field trip on the geological aspects demonstrates marine deposits exposed in the Carmel area; and one on biological aspects demonstrates the coastline ecosystem. Several tutorial sessions are held on the Open University campus. Explanations and pictures demonstrating the subject matter, the laboratory session and the field trips are posted on the course website (in Hebrew).