Students learn the basics of oceanography, as well as essential information about the physiographic setting of the oceans, structure of the earth, plate tectonic paradigm, development and evolution of an ocean basin, marine sediments, global processes, waves, tides, wind-driven circulation, thermobaline circulation, global circulation processes, seawater chemistry, biogeochemistry, marine habitats, marine ecosystems, primary production, plankton, nekton, benthic life, and mesopelagic and bathypelagic life.