The world's oceans have a profound influence on the COD community, and vice versa, despite the lack of beach front properties in the county.
Did you know that most of the precipitation that falls on the Midwest is water evaporated from the Gulf of Mexico? Were you aware that among the greatest threats to the water quality and fishery of the Gulf of Mexico are the fertilizers and soils that runoff Midwestern farms?
College of DuPage's Earth Sciences program provides both science and non-science majors alike an opportunity to explore and investigate Earth’s final frontier in the Earth Science 1130 Introduction to Oceanography. In this course, students have the opportunity to learn about the physical properties and phenomena of the Earth’s largest repository of water. Students enrolled in Earth Science 1130 have the opportunity to study phenomena in hands-on laboratory exercises, often by physically modeling oceanographic processes. Students simulate storm surges, long shore currents, barrier island roll-over, and a variety of other coastal erosion processes in a beach wave tank housed in the Hydrosciences Lab—a facility unmatched in other community colleges!
Program Requirements
Please consult a faculty member listed below before beginning your coursework.
Degree
- Associate in Science
- Student Planning Worksheet: Use When planning your coursework.
- Course Descriptions
EARTH 1130 Introduction to Oceanography
An introduction to oceanography that focuses on the dominating influence the World Ocean has on earth processes. Topics include ocean basin evolution, sea water chemistry and physics, interrelationships between the ocean and atmosphere, waves, currents, tides, coastal development, marine communities, and human impacts. Math 0481 with a grade of C or better, or a qualifying score on the Math Placement Exam.*
*Concerned that your math skills won’t measure up or that this course is too math demanding?
Contact Diana Strode to learn more about the course objectives and expectations. Don’t miss a great lab experience because you misunderstand the prerequisite!
Career Information
Interested in a career in oceanography? Meet with Diana Strode, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences, to explore the opportunities and to plan your course of study.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook - Geoscientists & Oceanographers
- O-NET Online, American Job Center Network - Geoscientists & Oceanographers
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Resources
Oceanography Websites
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association
- Office of Naval Research Oceanography
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Ocean Explorer
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- Geology.com - Oceanography
- National Geophysical Data Center Marine Geology & Geophysics
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Underwater Sciences
- The Oceanography Society
- Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
- Society for Underwater Technology
Contact Information
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Division
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 2E06, (630) 942-3210