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Unit of Study MRNE2010 - Oceanography (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

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Unit description

The ocean as we know it is the result of physical, chemical and biological processes working in concert. This unit introduces students to the fundamental concepts of oceanography, being physical (ocean currents, circulation and waves), chemical (major and minor ions in seawater) and biological in nature (the planktonic realm). A major emphasis will be on fostering an understanding of how the three interact to drive processes of global significance leading to essential ecosystem service provisions of various kinds (e.g. food/harvest and climate regulation).

Unit content

1) Oceans, sub-fields of oceanography (chemical, physical, biological and geological), and seawater

2) Macro and micronutrients in the ocean

3) Carbon and nutrient budgets, ocean boundaries, oxygen minimum zones and conceptual models

4) Waves, tides and estuarine circulation

5) Primary production in the oceans

6) Ocean acidification, the marine carbon cycle and the marine carbon pump

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

demonstrate enhanced understanding of the nature and drivers of major ocean current systems, and their significance in Earth's climate system

explain the behavior of major and minor ion composition in seawater and their interaction with geological and biological cycles.

describe the contributors to marine primary productivity and analyse the relationship between phytoplankton, zooplankton, nekton and bacteria.

demonstrate a clear understanding of the interactions of physics, chemistry and biology in shaping the ocean.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
Assessment
Presentation 35%
Report 50%
Quiz 15%

Teaching method
Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)
Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)
Assessment
Presentation 35%
Report 50%
Quiz 15%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.