Courses

Autumn Quarter: Ocean 161 (Introduction to Environmental Monitoring and Technology)

This is a 5 credit lecture and lab course which introduces a range of environmental monitoring technologies in the context of their scientific application and case studies spanning ocean, atmosphere, and land examples. Includes hands-on experience with sensors and working with data from various technologies and monitoring techniques. Students integrate knowledge across environmental science, technology, and engineering. Students are not expected to have any prior experience.

Winter Quarter: Ocean 351 (Fundamentals of Ocean Sensors) 

This is a 3 credit course which includes a combination of lectures and hands-on sensor building labs where students are introduced to the way sensors work and exposes students to the current fundamental technology behind ocean sensors. Focuses on foundational knowledge of methods used to observe key quantities that characterize marine environments. Includes theory and application of sensor design and construction principles, in the context of inferences and hypothesis-testing about key physical, biological, chemical, and geological dynamics in the oceans. 

Spring Quarter: Ocean 261/361/461 (Ocean Technology Design/Build Studio)

This is a series of three concurrently offered 2 credit courses, each targeted at students at different stages in our undergraduate program. This series is a project-based course where students design and build ocean sensors in small groups. The introductory course (Ocean 261) is designed for lower division undergraduates providing exposure to the design/build process. Ocean 361 is targeted at our undergraduate sophomores or juniors that focuses on leading the design/build activities. Ocean 261 and 361 may be taken concurrently in the same quarter. Ocean 461 is the final course in the sequence and is intended for our senior (or advanced) Ocean Technology students where they learn project management skills by participating as project leaders with the newer students during their first design/build course. These students will focus on project planning, time management, logistics, budgeting, and leadership and management skills. 

The ERIS (Exploration and Remote Instrumentation by Students) cabled observatory will be a student designed and built underwater learning facility at the University of Washington. This is a "hands-on" style course for variable credit which focuses on the technological challenges and potential solutions for this facility. ERIS and its educational mission will enable undergraduate students to design, build, operate, and maintain a cabled underwater observatory providing for a continuous data-stream for analysis, interpretation, and communication by students. From inspiration through implementation, this program will be focused on the creation and operation of an underwater science sensor network that physically is located off the dock of the School of Oceanography at University of Washington Seattle campus.

Ocean 462: Ocean Technology Studio - 

This course is offered in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. This course is offered for variable and repeatable credit every quarter to sustain student engagement, build community in the Ocean Technology Program, and provide more independent experience for students outside of our more traditional ocean technology courses. This course enables motivated students to continue working on self-directed design/build projects or other ocean technology-related projects throughout the year. It provides an opportunity for students to learn through doing, building on the students' previously acquired knowledge, skills, and ability, with faculty providing guidance and mentoring. Through this model students will develop technical, science and management and leadership skills that will aid them in their professional development.