UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
B.Sc. DEGREE COURSE IN MARINE SCIENCE
SEMESTER SYSTEM WITH CREDITS
(Effective from the Academic Year 2003-2004)

SYLLABUS

Semester I - Paper I - Principles of Oceanography

Duration of Examination: 3 hrs
Maximum Marks: 100
Credits: 4

Unit I

Geologic history of the oceans - Early history of Oceanography and World exploration - Modern Technology in Oceanography - Seas - Oceans - Ocean floor - Continental shelf - Continental slope - Abyssal basin - Introduction to hydrographic surveying.

Unit II

Marine instrumentation - Echosounder - Side Sanning Sonar - marine navigator (GPS) - underwater camera, etc., - Marine structures - vehicles - long term geologic history of oceans.

Unit III

Structure and motion of the ocean and its environs - properties, populations and energy budget - Oceanic currents - Oceanic water masses and circulation - Ocean waves and Tsunamis.

Unit IV

Ocean resources and exploration - Early expeditions and recent expeditions - Bioresources of the sea - Food production from the sea - Energy production from the sea - Mineral resources of the sea surface - Manganese and Phosphatic nodules - sub surface mineral resources of the ocean - Petroleum resources.

Unit V

Introduction to marine life - Life process in the marine environment - Ocean's Food web - Fish in schools - Sharks - Lobsters - Marine flora - sea weeds and sea grass.

Books Recommended

Oceanography, Contemporary readings in Ocean Sciences by Gorden Pine,

Principles of Physical Oceanography by Allen, J.R.L published., Allen and Unwin

Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Knauss, J.A., Prentice-Hall

Introduction to Oceanography by Weighpt

Physical Geology by Arthur Holmes.