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University of Hawaii. SOEST Department of Oceanography Undergraduate BS program in Global Environmental Science. GES Degree. Interdisciplinary study of Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological (including human) systems Rigorous BS degree
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University of Hawaii • SOEST • Department of Oceanography • Undergraduate BS program in Global Environmental Science
GES Degree • Interdisciplinary study of Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological (including human) systems • Rigorous BS degree • Coordination with other schools at UH provides expertise for training in intersections with economic, policy, and social systems
GES Degree • Coursework: • Solid background in science and math • Includes Introductory Oceanography • GES courses • Skills courses: problem solving, computer skills, modeling, oral and written communication • Content courses: environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, etc. • Many incorporate oceanographic information/data. • Electives – students choose area of focus • Many choose oceanography courses
GES Degree • Senior Research Thesis • Required, one-year project with individual mentor • Experience in scientific method; field and experimental work; data collection, analysis, reduction, and interpretation; literature review and analysis. • Oral presentation and written thesis • >50% of students work on oceanographic projects
GES Graduates • Roughly 50% go on to graduate school, many in oceanography or marine-related fields • Remainder in environmental consulting jobs, teaching, government positions
OCN 201: Science of the Sea • Lecture class – large (100-200 students) • Team taught – 3 faculty (1 geo, 1 bio, 1 phys-chem) • Field trips, some self-guided • Optional Lab • Class website: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/oceanography/courses_html/OCN201/
OCN 201 Labs • Combination of computer-based, demonstration, and hands-on labs • Examples: • Computer – nutrient lab based on Java Ocean Atlas: http://odf.ucsd.edu/joa/jsindex.html • Demonstration – salinity and thermohaline circulation • Hands-on – plankton tow; count copepods and calculate concentration; ID organisms
Upper Division Courses – Incorporation of Oceanographic Concepts/Data • Global Environmental Change • Aquatic Pollution • Atmospheric Pollution • Biogeochemical Cycles • Interpretation of Earth-system Computer Databases
OCN 363 • Interpretation of Earth-system Computer Databases • Computer skills (Matlab, web page design/use, data reduction, plotting) • Introduction to satellite-derived and other remotely sensed data and instrumentation used • Ocean data sets used for assignments Class website: http://www.satlab.hawaii.edu/ges/ocn363-2005/
Senior Research Projects • Environmental Assessment of Offshore Aquaculture – Romain Mauriac • Used pigment analyses to assess effects on phytoplankton populations • Enumeration of Microbial Cells in Hydrothermal Plumes – Carolyn Berger • Compared epifluorescence microscopy to flow cytometry • Coral Bleaching in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands – Yves Veillerobe • Evaluated spatial and temporal variability of SST from in situ and satellite-derived data
Things we’d like to do • Shipboard experience for all • Integrate certain concepts and skills throughout curriculum, e.g. modeling • More hands-on experiences in courses
Problems we’ve encountered • Ship availability for student cruises • Time and $ • Computer availability, maintenance, and upgrades • Student computer skills