2009 Courses & Clusters

Cluster 3 - Living Oceans and Global Climate Change

Instructors:
Joel Norris, Associate Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Ngai Chin Lai, Associate Research Scientist, UCSD School of Medicine
Guillermo Auad, Associate Project Scientist, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Description:
One component of this cluster will focus on the ocean's biology and the amazing diversity of marine habitats that extend from the poles to the tropics and from the beaches to the bottom of the deep blue sea. Topics will include the structure of the marine food web, characterization of major marine ecosystems, and the effects of climate change on seawater chemistry, ocean circulation, and marine life and diversity. The other component of this cluster will focus on the atmosphere-ocean system and how human activities are perturbing it. Topics will include the greenhouse effect, global warming due to increasing carbon dioxide produced by the burning of fossil fuels, and how climate variability and climate change impact the atmosphere and the ocean. Our future on this planet will depend on an understanding of our influence on the atmosphere and on the ocean ecosystem.

Prerequisite:
Algebra I and successfully completing the COSMOS Swimming Ability Certification form (for possible ocean fieldtrips, certification form not required until student is accepted into the cluster)

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