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GEL 1006
OCEANOGRAPHY

Welcome to THE ENDLESS VOYAGE; a carefully researched, meticulously produced telecourse in introductory oceanography. This telecourse is specifically designed to bring the student the knowledge, theories, and predictions of America's leading oceanographers in a way that will hold your attention and keep you interested.

Your Instructor is Mike Phillips.  You may reach me by phone at (815) 224-0394 or by e-mail at mike_phillips@ivcc.edu. My office at IVCC is B-318.  You may also  contact me via messaging on MySpace or Facebook, just follow the link: FACEBOOK | MYSPACE

The Endless Voyage investigates the marine environment in terms of basic scientific concepts and explores areas of intense interest and public concern. It will emphasize the interaction of the living world and the physical environment.

For some of you this will be the first time you have taken an independent study course. This course was designed to provide you with the flexibility to earn college credit by fitting into your personal schedule. The Endless Voyage is a three (3) semester hour college credit course that will satisfy a non-lab science general education requirement.

Below is a list of questions commonly asked by students. Please read them and let me know if you have any questions that I did not cover.

set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit

1. HOW IS THIS COURSE SET UP?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
The course consists of the 26 half-hour videotapes that comprise The Endless Voyage, assigned readings in the study guide and textbook, homework questions from the study guide, and four exams. There are no required class meetings, but you may contact me via telephone or e-mail and you should try to stop by my office at IVCC at least once during the semester. As you begin this course it is to your benefit if you follow the procedures as stated in the Introduction section of the Study Guide. The sections entitled "Focus Your Learning" will assist you in preparing yourself for each lesson.

2. WHERE CAN I WATCH THE VIDEO TAPES AND WHEN?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit

You have two options, you may view the videos at a library or borrow them overnight OR you may rent them for the entire semester from the IVCC bookstore.

The tapes may also be viewed at the Princeton, Ottawa, Streator, and Mendota Libraries during their regular operating hours.

Go to the main desk of the library and ask for The Endless Voyage tapes for the Oceanography telecourse. If you are not familiar with the operation of the tape machine, ask the librarian. It is very easy to use, very much like a regular tape recorder. As you progress, keep track of which tapes you have viewed and which ones you specifically need to watch or re-watch.

Go to the IVCC Bookstore checkout counter and ask for The Endless Voyage tapes for the Oceanography telecourse.

3. WHAT BOOKS ARE REQUIRED?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
Both a textbook and a study guide are required and are available from the IVCC Bookstore. Make sure you get the study guide. The books are as follows:

4. HOW IS THE COURSE ORGANIZED?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams   | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
I have divided the course into four units. Based on the contents of the videos, I have rearranged their order a bit; this is intended to enhance your experience by putting like ideas together. You should read the corresponding chapter in The Endless Voyage Study Guide. The study guide will tell you what to read in the Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science.

NOTE: All lesson numbers refer to the videos and study guide lessons, but not chapters in the text. Each lesson includes a reading assignment from the text.

UNIT 1: Lessons 1, 26, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Lesson 26 enhances Lesson 1)

UNIT 2: Lessons 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

UNIT 3: Lessons 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, & 25

UNIT 4: Lessons 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26 (Watch 26 again, its fun!)

5. WHAT HOMEWORK IS REQUIRED?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
Answers to the following questions in " The Endless Voyage Study Guide," 3rd ed. should be submitted with each exam. The questions will be worth 50 points for each submission. The homework allows me to evaluate more of your work and lessens the effect of a poor exam. The answers should be complete and concise. The answers should also be as neat as possible (typed).

WITH EXAM #1
Lesson 1, Learning Objective #1, Short Answer question #3
Lesson 26: none
Lesson 2, Learning Objective #6
Lesson 3, Learning Objective #8
Lesson 4, Learning Objective #1
Lesson 5, Learning Objectives #3 & 8
Lesson 6, Learning Objectives #3 & 4

WITH EXAM #2
Lesson 7, Learning Objective #3, Short Answer question #2
Lesson 8, Learning Objectives #1 & 4
Lesson 9, Learning Objectives #5 & 6
Lesson 10, Learning Objective #6, Short Answer question #3
Lesson 11, Learning Objectives #1 & 4
Lesson 12, Learning Objective #5 & 7

WITH EXAM #3
Lesson 13, Learning Objective #6, My questions: What factors influence the formation of a wind wave?
Lesson 14, Learning Objective #1
Lesson 15, Learning Objective #8, Short Answer question #1
Lesson 16, Learning Objective #2
Lesson 17, Short Answer question #1
Lesson 24, Short Answer question #1
Lesson 25, Short Answer question #2
   My Question: Describe the primary human cause of global warming and two of the effects of global warming.

WITH EXAM #4
Lesson 18, Learning Objectives #1 & 4
Lesson 19, Learning Objective #3 (discuss two of the factors)
Lesson 20, Learning Objective #1
Lesson 21, Short Answer question #1
Lesson 22, Short Answer questions #1 & 2
Lesson 23, Learning Objectives #1 & 5

6. WHAT ARE THE EXAMS LIKE?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
There are four 100 point exams, consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions. The exams cover material from the text, study guide, and videotapes so all should be studied thoroughly. Each exam is of equal weight in determining your final grade. The exams are freshman-sophomore college-level exams. So please be sure you're well prepared when you take them. Be sure to review the "Focus Your Learning" and "Test Your Learning" sections in the study guide before taking each exam (if you can answer the Learning Objectives, you should do well).

7. WHERE AND WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE EXAMS?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
You may take the exam at the IVCC Assessment Center (ask for directions at the front desk), or at a participating library in Princeton, Ottawa, Streator, and Mendota. If you take the exam in the library, simply ask someone at the front desk for the exam you want. Be prepared to leave your textbooks, notes, handbags, etc, with the librarian or exam proctor while taking the test. SEE COVER PAGE FOR ID RECOMMENDATIONS.

Your exam results and graded homework will be mailed to you approximately one week after the exam deadline. Exams should be taken after completing the following lessons according to your text and study guide.

EXAM DATES
EXAM # LESSONS May 19 start June 11 start
1 1, 26, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 June 6 June 24
2 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 June 24 July 3
3 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, & 25 July 11 July 16
4 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 July 25 July 25

8. HOW IS MY GRADE DETERMINED?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
Your grade will be determined according to the total number of points you receive on the four exams and four homework assignments. There is a maximum of 600 points.

GRADE TOTAL POINTS
A 540+
B 480 - 539
C 420 - 479
D 360 - 419
F 359 or less

Your grades and homework will be mailed to you approximately one week after the exam due date.

9. WHERE CAN I GET HELP?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit

10. IS THERE A SCHEDULE I MUST ADHERE TO?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
Because it is so important for you to maintain a schedule and often so difficult to self-pace, some guidelines are necessary. You are expected to complete each test according to the following deadlines. If you cannot take the test by the stated deadline, you will be given three additional days as a grace period. After that time limit, you will be withdrawn from the class unless you call me prior to the test date to inform me of your problem. If you wish, you may complete the work early. If you enroll late, please call me to set up a new schedule.

NOTE: If you receive this information after the start of the semester, you may find that the first exam date is too soon for you to prepare well for the exam. Accordingly, you may delay taking the exam for a few days to give yourself adequate study time. By the second exam date, however, you should be back on schedule.

THE EXAM SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

  DATE DUE
May 19 start June 11 start
EXAM #1 June 6 June 24
EXAM #2 June 24 July 3
EXAM #3 July 11 July 16
EXAM #4 July 25 July 25

It is imperative that the fourth exam be taken on or before July 25, 2008 so that I can turn in your grade on time. If you wish to withdraw from the course, you must notify me.

11. WHO IS SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE?  set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
Successful students are the ones that watch the tapes on a regular schedule. In other words, they approach this course much the same way they do their other courses in that they do something each week instead of trying to watch all the tapes near the end of the semester. For many students, the flexibility is an exciting new way to earn college credit, for others it is a disaster. If you find yourself having difficulty getting the work done, give me a call or stop in and see me.

12. EXTRA CREDIT   set up | tapes | books | organization | homework | exams  | grade | help | schedule | success | extra credit
I encourage you to submit an extra credit report providing a more in-depth discussion of any of the topics covered in the course. Points will be awarded based on originality and your ability to support your ideas. Please contact me so I can approve your topic. Extra credit may be submitted to me at the college or with your final exam.

*IF A STUDENT IS CAUGHT CHEATING IN THIS COURSE, HE/SHE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE.

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copyright © 2008 Mike Phillips (includes all photos)
last updated: 06/17/08