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Hello!
Hello!
My name is Prof. Kokorowski, and I’m excited to be your instructor for Online Physical Oceanography Laboratory. Please take a minute to watch my welcome video, then explore the rest of this Welcome Syllabus to learn more about our course.
Navigate using the tabs at the top of the page or, on mobile devices, by selecting the menu icon (three lines) in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Course Details
Course Details
Catalog Description
Catalog Description
In this course, students examine oceanographic data, maps, and charts to describe the geological, chemical, physical, and biological aspects of Earth’s ocean, and interpret processes responsible.
Students investigate topics that include how the movement of tectonic plates creates seafloor features, how changes in the ocean and atmosphere create phases of El Niño Southern Oscillation, and how density stratification of the water column affects seasonal phytoplankton blooms. Students inspect and describe marine sediments and explore the causes and effects of tsunamis. Students also consider the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems, including pollution and climate change.
Transfer Requirements
Transfer Requirements
This course satisfies Area 5C: Laboratory Science for California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) certification.
How This Course Works
How This Course Works
This is a 16-week asynchronous online course that is organized into weekly modules. You will complete one module per week.
As a 1-credit physical science lab course, you can expect to spend 3 to 4 hours each week on the course. Please do not underestimate this time requirement.
This class is ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost), which means there is no textbook to purchase. All course materials are provided digitally in Canvas free of charge.
We do not meet on Zoom. You will complete coursework on your own schedule, while weekly deadlines, announcements, and reminders help keep you on track.
By Thursday of Week 1, you must complete the multi-step Course Check-In activity to confirm your intent to fully participate in the course.
Our Pact
Our Pact
What you can expect from me:
What you can expect from me:
I will provide a clear, well-organized course designed to help you meet the learning outcomes in meaningful ways.
I will use a variety of multimedia tools and assignment types to support different learning styles and accessibility needs.
I will enforce due dates to help you stay on track, while offering a 48-hour grace period with a small late penalty (1% per hour) to support your progress.
I will provide timely grades and constructive feedback so you know where you stand and how to improve.
I will be actively engaged and foster a respectful, supportive learning environment where you feel safe sharing ideas.
I will check in if I notice you may need support, and I’ll do my best to connect you with resources.
I will treat you with dignity and respect, and I’ll work with you to balance course expectations with real-life challenges.
I will make mistakes sometimes, and when I do, I’ll reflect, take responsibility, and keep growing, just as I ask of you.
What I will expect from you:
What I will expect from you:
You will strive to be an active participant in this course and do your best to meet due dates.
You will keep an open line of communication so I can better understand how to support you.
You will regularly contribute to discussions and collaborative work, giving others time to reflect and respond to your ideas.
You will treat your peers with dignity and respect. We are all here to learn.
You will approach technology with patience. There will be hiccups, but we’ll work through them together.
You will do your own work. Your ideas matter, even if they are imperfect. You may use AI tools responsibly to support your thinking, but you will not rely on them to do the work for you.
You will give yourself grace. Mistakes are part of the learning process; use them as opportunities to grow.
You will bring curiosity and a willingness to engage, even when the material feels unfamiliar or challenging.
How to Get Your Questions Answered
How to Get Your Questions Answered
How to Contact Me Directly
How to Contact Me Directly
For personal or private matters, please contact me through the Canvas Inbox. This includes questions about grades, feedback, accommodations, personal circumstances, or concerns specific to you.
If you contact me Monday through Friday, I will do my best to respond within 48 hours. Messages sent after Friday afternoon may not receive a response until Monday.
How to Get Your General Questions Answered
How to Get Your General Questions Answered
If you have a general question about the course, please use the Ask Here for Help discussion forum in Canvas. This is the official location for questions about:
Assignments and expectations
Deadlines and due dates
Course content and concepts
Technology or submission issues
Study strategies and how to get started
I monitor the forum regularly to ensure questions are answered accurately and promptly, and your classmates may benefit from the answers as well. Students are also encouraged to help answer questions in the forum, and thoughtful participation may earn extra credit.
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