Prerequisite: GY260
Course status: Core
Credit Rating: 8 credits
Total hours spent: 80 hours [30 hours lectures, 15 hours Tutorials, 15 hours Assignments, and 20 hours independent study]
Course Objective(s)
o To impart knowledge to the students on the origin and geomorphologic evolution of ocean basins.
o To gain understanding of geological, physical and biological processes operating in marine environment and their bearing on the economic potential of ocean basins.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
o Explain the origin and geomorphologic evolution of the sea floor.
o Describe and explain marine geological and biological processes and their impact on occurrences and distribution of marine resources.
o Describe the nature and occurrences of marine mineral and other resources, and the law of the sea.
Course Structure
Introduction to Marine Geology; Origin of the Ocean Basins; Geomorphology and zonation of the ocean basins; Physical processes in the deep-sea and marginal marine; Biological oceanographic processes;
Resources potential of the sea water and sea floor; Law of the sea and the distribution of marine resources worldwide
Course Content
Introduction to Marine Geology: History of Oceanography and Marine Geology, Developments in methods and instrumentation used by marine geologists; Origin of Ocean Basins: The structure of the earth; Plate tectonics - sea floor spreading, continental drift and the Wilson Cycle; Geomorphology and zonation of the ocean basins: Geomorphological nomenclature and zonation of the ocean basin floor; Physical processes in the deep-sea and marginal marine: Ocean circulation -waves, ocean currents and tides; Estuary and coastal processes; shoreline and shoreline processes; Biological oceanographic processes and life forms: Biological oceanographic processes; Life forms - plankton and fish, the benthos; Resources potential of the sea water and sea floor: Resource potential of the sea water and sea floor; The law of the sea and the distribution of marine resources worldwide
Assessment
Coursework 40%, Final Examination 60%.
Key Textbooks:
1. Seibold E. and Berger W. (2017). The Seafloor: An introduction to Marine Geology. (4th Ed.) Springer Verlag NY.
2. Seibold E. and Berger W. (1992). An introduction to Marine Geology Springer Verlag, NY.
3. Keen M.J. (2017). An Introduction to Marine Geology. Elsevier.
4. Francis P. S., (1973). Submarine Geology. Harper and Row.
5. Kuenen H. (2007). Marine Geology. Baltzell Press.