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MARINE ECOLOGY

Miss Stafne

ejstafne@capousd.k12.ca.us

Course Description:  Marine ecology is a broad field in which many sciences are focused on the common goal of understanding the biological, physical and chemical aspects of the ocean.  This course will touch on several different disciplines of science.  Geological oceanography includes the study of the earth at the sea’s edge, below its surface and the history of the processes that formed the oceans’ basins.  Physical oceanography investigates how and why oceans move.  Marine meteorology is the study of heat transfer, water cycles and air-sea interactions.  Chemical oceanography studies the composition and history of the water, its processes and its interactions.  Biological oceanography involves the study of marine organisms and their relationship to their environment.  Pollution and its environmental impact on the future of the seas and the human population will be discussed.  This is a college-prep, laboratory course.

Text:  The student is responsible for his/her textbooks and must pay for any damage or loss.   

            Marine Biology  by Castro & Huber

            Oceanography – An Invitation to Marine Science by Garrison

Field Studies:  This course is designed to apply the concepts learned in the classroom to the field, where Nature displays the interactions of the physical and biological cycles that keep this world alive and functioning.  The student will acquire techniques of field research and data analysis that will be useful in college-level science work.  Fieldwork is a required part of this course.  Many of our labs will take place in the field.  These labs cannot be made up, therefore attendance and participation is essential.

Research Project:  This course involves a major research project that each student must complete.  It is due during the final weeks of the spring semester.  This project includes gathering data from the field over a period of time, analyzing and drawing conclusions from the data collected, writing a research paper and presenting the work orally to his/her fellow classmates.  Students will work in teams of two or three.

Homework:  Homework will be assigned as needed.  Whether or not homework is assigned, the student should study for this course on a daily basis.  Students must work regularly on long-term projects: research project and reading.  All homework is due at the BEGINNING of the period on the assigned date.  NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT.  It is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher for any assignments missed due to an absence.

Unit Assessments:  A major assessment will be given at the end of each unit.  Some will be tests.  Others may take on various forms: projects, debates, etc.  Quizzes will be given as needed.  A comprehensive final will be given at the end of each semester.

Grades:  Grades will be determined by the percentage of points earned as compared to the total points possible.  The percentage breakdown is as follows:

            A            90 – 100%

            B             80 – 89%

            C            70 – 79%

            D            60 – 69%

            F            59% and below

Extra Credit:  Extra credit opportunities will be made available, however, STUDENTS WHO ARE MISSING MORE THAN THREE ASSIGNMENTS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR EXTRA CREDIT.  Turn in your work!!!

Progress Reports / Report Cards:  During each semester, two progress reports are issued, one after the first six weeks and the second after the twelfth week.  The report card, which shows the grade for the student’s permanent record, is issued at the end of each semester.  All are mailed directly home.  

 

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You will be required to attend three ocean-based lectures or read one of the following books on your own, outside of the regular class work.  Both activities will be learning experiences you will cherish and grow from, both intellectually and emotionally.  If you choose the reading assignment, you will probably want to keep the book in your personal library.  You will need to choose which book you will read or elect to attend lectures by the last Friday in September.  Your choice will be kept on file and you will not be able to change your mind later in the course.  If you wish, you may read more than one book or attend more lectures for Extra Credit.  A specific write-up will be required.  For each lecture, you will be required to take notes and have the speaker sign them to verify your attendance.  Attached to your notes, you will need to turn in a two-page paper summarizing the content of the presentation and discussing your personal thoughts on the subject matter.  For the book, you will be required to write a three-page book report, select five poignant or pivotal quotes from the book and briefly explain why you chose them and create a sales pitch and poster for the book you chose to read.  You will attempt to “sell” the book to the rest of the class.  All papers must be typed, double spaced in 12-point font, with normal margins.  All of the books can be ordered from any major bookstore.  Most are in paperback and run about $15.00 a piece.  Try purchasing them from half.com.  You may also check them out from a local library.

 

Reading Choices

 

Eye of the Whale by Dick Russel

 

Sea Change – A Message of the Oceans by Sylvia A. Earle

 

Vermilion Sea by John Janovy

 

Among Whales by Roger Payne

 

In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton

 

Blue Frontier:  Saving America’s Living Seas by David Helvarg

LIVING SEA

Miss Stafne

ejstafne@capousd.k12.ca.us

 

Course Description: One semester, second year science elective.  This course is an overview of the study of oceanography, or marine science.  The student will be exposed to zoology, meteorology, botany, geochemistry, geology, and ecology. 

 

Prerequisite:  Passing grade in Life Science and Physical Science.

 

Text:  Fundamentals of Oceanography, 1996, Duxbury and Duxbury, Magraw Publisher

 

Homework and Class-work: Homework will be assigned regularly and will be checked at the beginning of the period.  Late work will receive only half credit up until the unit exam.  AFTER THAT, NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT.  Class-work is due on the day it is assigned.

It is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher for

homework missed while absent.

Journal & Notebook: The student is required to have a spiral notebook (journal) FOR THIS CLASS ONLY and bring it to class everyday.  In addition, each student should maintain a three-ring notebook for homework, lab write-ups, and notes.  These will be checked at random and participation points will be lost if they are not brought to class.

 

Organization is the key to success in a science class.

All notes and assignments should be kept for a comprehensive final at the end of the semester.

 

Grading: Grades are based on participation, homework, journals, projects, and unit assessments.  Points are cumulative throughout the semester, therefore it is important to do your best from the beginning.

                                    90 – 100%  A

                                    80 – 89%    B

                                    70 – 79%    C

                                    60 – 69%    D

                                   

Extra Credit: Extra Credit is not available for students who are missing more than three assignments.

 

Progress Reports & Report Cards: During each semester, two progress reports are issued, one after the first six weeks of instruction, and another after week twelve.  A semester report card is issued at the end of each semester.  Both progress reports and report cards are mailed home.

 

THE TEACHER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONTACT PARENTS AT ANY TIME, TO DISCUSS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS OR PROGRESS.

 

 

SDAIE Science

First Semester: Physical Science  -  Second Semester: Earth & Life Science

 

Course Description: This course offers students the opportunity to study the physical structure and functions of many of the everyday processes in the Universe.  Students will also investigate life systems and processes.  Earth science will be integrated into both semesters.

 

Topics to be Covered:

·         Measurements, Graphs & Charts

·         Newton’s Laws

·         Build a Bridge: Structures

·         Roller Coasters: Momentum

·         Rocketry

·         Mousetrap Cars: Energy

·         Wind and Flight

·         Cell Structure

·         Classification of Organisms

·         Plants

·         Mammals

·         Reptiles

·         Birds

·         Formation of Rocks  

Homework:

·         Assignments will be written on the board regularly.

·         All homework is due at the BEGINNING of the period on the given due date. 

·         NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT.

·         If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain the missed assignments from the file folder and come to the teacher with any questions after class.  Students will have one day for each day absent to make up missed work.  

Journals: Every student should have a spiral notebook for this class ONLY.  Journal entries will be added every day and will be collected weekly. You must bring your journal to class every day!

 

Notebook: Your three-ring notebook should have dividers for NOTES, HOMEWORK, QUIZZES, and LABS.

 

Weekly Assignments: Every week, students will receive a scientific journal article which they must read and respond to.  Students’ response will follow the same format each week.  

Grades: Grades will be based on: active and cooperative participation, journals, quizzes and tests, homework, labs / projects / reports, and the final project.  The grade will be calculated by determining the percentage of points earned from the total points possible.

The grade breakdown is:            A = 90-100%

                                                B = 80-89%

                                                C = 70-79%

                                                D = 60-69%

 

How to succeed in this class:

* TURN IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS                                              * LISTEN

* PARTICIPATE POSSITIVELY                                     * STAY ORGANIZED

* ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND