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Next session: Fall 2 starts Oct 21!

Register by Oct 21.

EARTH SCIENCE

The Ocean System

Physical and Biological Oceanography

the ocean meets tall coastal cliffs

Martin Zwick/AGE Fotostock

How does the ocean system shape the planet, regulate climate, and support life?

Investigate the physical characteristics of the ocean and the way its components—the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere—interact. In this six-week online course, authored by world-class experts, you will explore the origin of oceans, the incredible biodiversity supported by marine ecosystems, how ocean dynamics shape climate and weather, and the effect of human activities on the ocean system. Profiles of oceanographers show how technologies like ocean-going robots and core-drilling programs are shaping a new era of ocean exploration.

 

This course begins Oct 21.

Fall 2 Session

Oct 21 - Dec 1, 2024
Registration deadline: Oct 21
Register by Oct 21.
13 days left

COURSE COST

$599 per course

GRAD CREDIT

This course is approved for graduate credit from these institutions at an additional cost. Select an institution below for full details on cost, enrollment and more:

Investigate the physical characteristics of the ocean and the way its components—the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere—interact. In this six-week online course, authored by world-class experts, you will explore the origin of oceans, the incredible biodiversity supported by marine ecosystems, how ocean dynamics shape climate and weather, and the effect of human activities on the ocean system. Profiles of oceanographers show how technologies like ocean-going robots and core-drilling programs are shaping a new era of ocean exploration.

 

Course Format

This online course is asynchronous, giving you the flexibility to complete weekly activities at your own pace. Essays, written by our authoring scientists, are supplemented by case studies, textbook readings, videos, interactive simulations, image galleries, and more. These resources provide the foundation for assignments as well as online discussions where you will exchange questions and ideas with course faculty and other learners. The course culminates in a final project, which is your opportunity to create activities that you can use with your students.

Ariel view of highly vegetated islands situated in open sea

Reinhard Dirscherl/AGE Fotostock

Connecting to Your Classroom

This course includes a variety of resources that can be adapted for use in your classroom. Participants frequently use course activities as a central component of their final project. For example, in this course you will use a simulation to join an expedition in which you will look for a deep-sea hydrothermal vent located below the ocean’s surface.

Recent Course Faculty

This course is co-taught by an experienced classroom teacher and a working scientist. With low faculty to student ratios, this powerful combination of scientific expertise and classroom application creates opportunities for discussions about the course content and how it can be taught.

This course begins Oct 21.

Fall 2 Session

Oct 21 - Dec 1, 2024
Registration deadline: Oct 21
Register by Oct 21.
13 days left

COURSE COST

$599 per course

GRAD CREDIT

This course is approved for graduate credit from these institutions at an additional cost. Select an institution below for full details on cost, enrollment and more:

It was great having access to experts in the field of ocean science. It is rare to be able to talk so closely with people who are so greatly involved with ocean science.

— EDUCATION GRADUATE STUDENT

I learned a lot of new information that will be helpful when teaching my students about the ocean. I loved how easy the weekly checklists were to follow.

— ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GENERAL SCIENCE TEACHER

I liked the interactives, especially Find a Vent. This exercise showed in a very active way, from the user's point of view, how tedious, time-consuming—and with an aspect of 'needle-in-a-haystack' towards a discovery—fieldwork can be. I thought this interactive conveyed the scientific inquiry process excellently. I feel it would be very successful with high school students.

— HIGH SCHOOL GENERAL SCIENCE TEACHER