Marine Studies
Marine Studies
Marine studies is the interdisciplinary study of the oceans and the life in and dependent on them. The Marine Studies program offers courses in marine biology, oceanography, and field studies both on the Oxnard College Campus and the Oxnard College Marine Center and Aquarium at Channel Islands Harbor. By taking courses in this discipline you will learn about marine and coastal environments, study at a beautiful location, and earn your general education credits in science or apply them toward your major for your AA, AS, or Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT).
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Conduct research and information gathering using a variety of sources such as: texts, tables, graphs, maps, media, personal communication, observation and electronic databases.
- Apply general math skills such as unit conversion, ratios, and percentages to solving simple rate problems; evaluate data, produce and interpret tables and graphs; apply the metric system of measurement.
- Acquire knowledge and skills sufficient to allow one to pursue more advanced study in marine studies or find employment in marine studies related fields.
- Demonstrate scientific literacy by defining and explaining the major steps in the scientific method of investigation, specifically, the difference between empirical data, interpretation, testable hypothesis, theory, paradigm, speculation, and pseudo-science.
- Recognize applications of marine studies in everyday life.Identify the first step of the scientific method as "observation".
- Display written and verbal competency in the description and analysis of marine studies subject matter.
This course provides an introduction to the diversity of marine organisms and the physical and biological processes that influence their life history, behavior, distribution, and anatomical structure. Topics also address the interactions of these organisms and processes in a variety of habitats, marine ecology, and marine conservation.
This laboratory course provides an introduction to the diversity of marine organisms and the physical and biological processes that influence their structure, life history, and behavior.
This course is a broad survey of the field of oceanography. Topics include geology and geography of the ocean basins and coastlines, plate tectonics, waves, currents, tides, properties of seawater, methods of oceanographic exploration, and an introduction to Marine Biology.
This course is the laboratory to accompany GEOL R103. Topics include introduction to ocean/atmosphere relationships, interpretation of bathymetric maps, applied methods of measurement, and descriptive analysis of the physical ocean, including beaches, ocean currents, waves, and water properties.
This field course is an introduction to topics in marine biology related to current resource management issues in this region. Trips to natural areas where biological, geological, and oceanographic resources can be observed will be combined with related information about resource management at the federal, state, and local levels.
This field course is an introduction to topics in marine geology related to current resource management issues in this region. Trips to areas where geological, biological, and oceanographic resources can be observed will be combined with related information about resource management and the requirements and applications of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to marine resource management.
This course is designed to prepare students with existing background knowledge of marine systems for further studies in Marine Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to conduct a research project on an ocean related topic including its habitats, resources, or interactions with terrestrial and atmospheric systems. Project findings will be presented in scientific poster format, video, protocol or research publication.