Unit details

OCEN4005 The Indian Ocean Environment

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Content

This unit provides an overview of the dynamic processes governing the structure and function of marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on applications from the Indian Ocean. The unit introduces key concepts in physical, chemical, biological and geological ocean systems to explore—
• the geological formation and climate history of the Indian Ocean and its modern environmental characteristics;
• the role of weather and climate variability in driving regional ocean processes;
• the dynamics of ocean circulation and waves within the Indian Ocean;
• the diversity of marine habitats and species across the Indian Ocean, focusing on biodiversity and drivers of distribution and abundance;
• how physical ocean processes shape marine ecosystems along the Indian Ocean rim; and
• the influence on climate change on the physical, chemical and biological oceanography of the Indian Ocean and future projections.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate a knowledge of how the Indian Ocean has formed and its climate history, including the processes that have led to its modern environmental conditions; (2) identify how weather systems and climate cycles drive ocean processes through atmosphere–ocean coupling; (3) demonstrate an awareness of the regional ocean circulation patterns and wave conditions along the Indian Ocean rim, and assess the dominant physical drivers responsible; (4) demonstrate an understanding of the major marine habitats, ecosystems and species in the Indian Ocean, and link oceanic physical and chemical processes to the uniqueness and diversity of marine biota; (5) demonstrate an awareness of the major biogeochemical cycles in the ocean than shape marine ecosystems, and how these vary across the Indian Ocean; and (6) identify how climate change has altered modern ocean conditions across the Indian Ocean and the future projections and impacts.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class exercises; (2) two field/laboratory reports; and (3) final project. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is only available in this unit in the case of a student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nicole Jones

Note

Week of August 24: Introductory briefing session for all students

Aug 28-Sep 14: Online readings and upskilling activities (any oceanography primers, software tutorials etc.) made available.

Sep 14-Oct 23: Five day-long intensive sessions (same day each week) [this is a 6-week period due to the study break in the week of Sep 28]

Oct 26-Nov 13: Students work on and submit final assessment item/s