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Oceanography

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Teachers can use the complete Plus course curriculum for flexible instruction.

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Course Summary

Explore how oceanography affects and is affected by biological, chemical, and geological processes. Students begin their study with physical oceanography including planet rotation and revolution, plate tectonics, bathymetry and an investigation into the waves, tides, currents, and the large-scale ocean circulation and weather patterns. Then, transition to the study of marine biology which includes understanding the communities of estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, intertidal zones, kelp forests, and more. Students also study the world of fish with a focus on chondrichthyes (such as sharks, skates and rays). 

Curriculum

This is a two-semester course. Each semester requires a commitment of approximately 70 or more hours of coursework. While students may enroll in both semesters within the same term, UC Scout does not recommend this due to the intensive workload, especially during shorter terms like summer.

UC Scout courses (except language courses) are conducted entirely in English, including all lessons, assignments, and exams. Students are expected to complete all coursework — including proctored midterm and final exams — in English. Translation tools and browser extensions (such as Google Translate) are not permitted during proctored exams. Students who rely on translation tools to complete coursework should be aware that these tools will not be available during proctored assessments.

Unit 1: Water Planet
  • Earth’s Rotation & The Reason for the Season
  • Latitude and Longitude
  • Hydrologic Cycle
  • Oceanographic Maps
Unit 2: Plate Tectonics
  • Geology
  • Continental Drift, Boundaries, and Hot Spots
  • Geologic Events
Unit 3: Bathymetry and Sedimentation
  • Ocean Floor Features
  • Bathymetric Tools
  • Bathymetric Charting
  • The Stories of Sediments Part 1
  • The Stories of Sediments Part 2
Unit 4: Ocean Atmosphere
  • Ocean Atmosphere Part 1
  • Ocean Atmosphere Part 2
  • Ocean Currents
  • Weather: Hurricanes
  • Weather: El Niño
  • Global Warming: Causes
  • Global Warming: Effects
Unit 5: Waves and Tides
  • Mechanics of Waves
  • Types of Waves
  • Tides
Unit 6: Marine Communities
  • Types and Survival
  • Population and Changes
  • Sand
  • Sandy Beach Community
  • Estuary
Unit 7: Intertidal Environment
  • Conditions and Adaptations Part 1
  • Conditions and Adaptations Part 2
  • Zones
  • Classification Mini-Lesson
  • Organisms: Echinoderms Part 1
  • Organisms: Echinoderms Part 2
  • Organisms: Mollusks
Unit 8: Coral Reef
  • Reef Formation
  • Porifera
  • Cnidaria Part 1
  • Cnidaria Part 2
  • Reef Relationships and Zonation
  • Environmental Factors: Threatened and Thriving
Unit 9: Algae
  • Varieties and Characteristics of Multicellular Marine Algae
  • Algae Zonation
  • Kelp Forest Ecology
  • Arthropods
Unit 10: Pelagic and Benthic Environments
  • Light Zones
  • Layers and Pressure
  • Behaviors and Characteristics of Pelagic and Benthic Organisms
  • Behaviors and Characteristics of the Abyssal and Hadal Zone Organisms
Unit 11: Ichthyology
  • Evaluate Characteristics of Fishes
  • Structural and Environmental Adaptations
  • Investigate Chondrichthyes