Highlights
Engages students with the issues that matter to them.
Introduction to Ocean Sciences captures students’ natural enthusiasm for topics and issues in the ocean sciences—including environmental concerns, natural hazards, and marine life—and uses this enthusiasm to teach core scientific principles in an engaging way. A strong focus on the ecological perspective sets Introduction to Ocean Sciences, Second Edition, apart from other textbooks in the field.
Accurate and current science in a flexible, modular format.
Providing the most current and accurate science of any introductory text in the field, Introduction to Ocean Sciences is organized in a modular format, with thoroughly cross-referenced chapters, allowing instructors to re-order or otherwise tailor the textbook material to fit the needs of their course.
Focus on core concepts and the process of science develops students’ scientific literacy.
Introduction to Ocean Sciences makes the study of ocean sciences accessible. Emphasizing the scientific process, the text explains in clear language the essential scientific concepts from the various ocean science disciplines—physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and ecology—while providing the opportunity for more in-depth study through eighteen illustrated Critical Concept features.
Rich pedagogy clarifies and reinforces essential concepts.
Because courses in the ocean sciences attract nonmajors, Introduction to Ocean Sciences provides the pedagogy to ensure that even those with little science experience will succeed. Throughout every chapter, Critical Thinking Questions challenge students to apply the concepts they have learned. In addition, each chapter includes chapter-opening anecdotes, many drawn from the author’s experience in the field; glossary terms; chapter summaries; study and review questions; and key terms lists.
The Critical Concepts are stand-alone features on key principles, consisting of “Essential to Know” lists and “Understanding the Concept” discussions. Students who are less comfortable with the science will get the support they need to dip their toes into new materials, and added depth is provided for those who want to know more. Individual Critical Concepts are referenced in the chapters themselves: the chapter openers list relevant Critical Concepts, cross-references appear where they will be helpful, and and an end-of-chapter Critical Concept Reminder section summarizes the information.
Accurate line art and beautiful underwater photography.
The Second Edition offers almost 280 underwater photographs by author Douglas Segar and Elaine Stamman Segar, who have meticulously supervised their reproduction for color accuracy. The text also includes a wealth of exceptional full-color line art to illustrate important concepts.
Copyright © 2006, W. W. Norton & Company. All rights reserved.
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