Module manager: Dr Will Homoky
Email: W.Homoky@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
For incoming study abroad students: A level or Foundation year equivalent in Chemistry and Maths. + Prior equivalent module experience (e.g. introductory oceanography, earth system science or biogeochemical cycle SOEE2110
| SOEE2110 | Introductory Oceanography |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The oceans are a crucial part of the Earth System. This module builds on a mainly qualitative understanding of the world's oceans to give greater emphasis to a quantitative understanding of the physical processes that determine their structure and circulation , and the biogeochemical processes that also operate. The course will focus on understanding the supply and recycling of essential nutrients in the global oceans and their role in mediating biological and abiological carbon exchange between the atmosphere, ocean and sediments. Lectures will also cover waves and gas exchange and the dynamics of tides and their influence on tidal ecosystems. The latter part of the course will focus on the formation of marine sediments, the utility of oceanic tracers and how these are used interpret past and present ocean processes. The module will conclude with a forward-looking view of the ocean’s response to human-induced changes in the Earth System. Supplemental videos, active marine research at Leeds and quantitative worked examples will be used to illustrate the information provided during lectures.
The objectives of the course are (a) to develop a greater depth of understanding of major coupled-physical, chemical and biological processes in the ocean; (b) to adopt quantitative approaches to our understanding of physical processes; and (c) to use scientific reasoning from foundational knowledge to understand ocean-climate and ocean-ecological feedbacks during past, present and future states of the Earth System.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
SSLO1: Explain the physical processes governing ocean circulation.
SSLO2: Understand the interactions between atmosphere and ocean and their importance to climate, including exchange of heat, water, and trace gases.
SSLO3: Show knowledge of the controls on sea ice formation, melting, and its links with deep-water mass formation.
SSLO4: Describe the ocean’s physical and biological controls of the global carbon cycle.
SSLO5: Discuss the utility of chemical tracers in the ocean to interpret past and present ocean processes.
SSLO6: Evaluate the ocean’s response to human activities in recent decades in the context of Earth system change.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas [Work Ready: critical thinking]
SKLO2: Communicate effectively in written form to articulate an argument, supported by relevant evidence and adhering to academic convention [Academic: academic writing]
SKLO3: Learn through practice, learning proactively and adopting effective learning strategies [Academic: active learning]
- During this module, students will have the opportunity to further develop their written communication, planning and organisation, information literacy, research, problem solving, numeracy and time management skills.
- Their written communication will be assessed within the context of the exam.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 80 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
The students will be expected to review the course material outside class and to carry out additional reading of the material presented and material adjacent to the lectures in order to understand the material and its context properly.
Student progress will be monitored through informal discussions: students will be encouraged to raise any questions they might have about their progress in the course particularly during the 10-minute break in the middle of the session. Throughout the module students will participate as active learners in class by being given opportunities to evaluate data, discuss amongst their peers, respond to in class quizzes, explaining and justify their reasoning, and receive feedback on their responses from the module leader.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 06/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team