EAS 1540

Introductory Oceanography

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This class relies more on intuitive reasoning rather than complicated mathematical formulas to convey basic concepts about how the ocean works. For this reason, the class is very accessible to non-science majors. The class covers standard material about how the ocean works, but also includes current environmental threats facing the ocean such as global warming, ocean acidification, overfishing and coastal pollution. Students will gain a depth of knowledge about the ocean and global warming to enable them to speak and write confidently about contemporary public issues regarding the health of the ocean, global warming and a sustainable future. This course satisfies the Physical and Biological Sciences (PBS) requirement for students in most colleges. For students in A&S and CALS, this course counts as in-college credit.

Forbidden Overlaps BIOEE 1540, BIOEE 1560, EAS 1540, EAS 1560

Distribution Requirements (OPHLS-AG, SCH-AG), (PHS-AS), (SCT-IL)

Exploratory Studies (CU-SBY)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2024FA, 2023FA, 2022FA

Learning Outcomes

• Realize that the ocean operates as an integrated system of geological, physical, biological, and chemical interactions.
• Identify the extent of environmental threats facing the ocean resulting from global warming, ocean acidification, ocean deoxygenation, marine pollution and unsustainable fishing practices.
• Realize that 1 in 9 plant and animal species currently face the possibly of extinction.
• Realize that 80% of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals depend on maintaining a high level of global biodiversity.
• Be inspired to raise their voice and ask public leaders to enact policies that will bring about a more sustainable future.
• Compose a letter to congressional leaders, or other high ranking decision makers, with a request to act on a personal environmental concern that was brought to light in the class.

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