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

SYLLABUS

Semester V - Paper VIII - Marine Geology

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

Unit I

Structure of the Earth - Origin and structure of Oceans - Alfred Wegener and Continental Drift - Sea floor spreading and Expanding ocean basins - magnetic reversals.

Unit II

Brief outline of Plate tectonics, transform faults, ocean trenches, mid-ocean ridges, geothermal vents - Continental shelf, Slope and Rise.

Unit III

Deep ocean basins, Structure and origin of ocean basins, continental margins, bathymetry, Submarine canyons - Mid-oceanic ridges, and Trenches.

Unit IV

Coastlines and Coastal system beaches - rocky and sandy beaches, bays, inlets, and fjords; physical processes and Classification of coasts - formation of beaches - loss of headlands - formation of barrier islands and lagoons - coastal development.

Unit V

Dynamical tides in Lakes, Bays and Open coastlines Coastlines and beaches of indi - Characteristics of coastal waters - Estuaries -Temperate and tropical wetlands and Lagoons - Marginal seas of the world.

Books Recommended

Marine Geology by Kennet, J.P., Prentice Hall.

The sea floor by Seibold, E. and Berger, W.H., Springer-Verlag.

Laboratory exercises in Oceanography by Pipkin, B.W., Gorsline, D.S., Casey, R.E. and Hammond, D.E., Freeman.

Marine Pollution by Gerlach, S.A.