FutureLearn

Exploring Our Oceans (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Southampton,
Exploring Our Oceans (FutureLearn)

Explore the half of our world covered by deep ocean, and how our lives affect the hidden face of our planet. Discover how you can play a part in the safe keeping of the future of our ocean. What lies in the half of our world covered by water more than two miles deep? How are our everyday lives connected to the ocean depths, and what challenges and opportunities does this previously hidden realm hold for our future?

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Meet scientists exploring the ocean from the deepest undersea vents to the chilly waters of the Poles and find how what we now know about the ocean depths is as amazing as the unknown that remains. By taking this course, you will see how the deep ocean is no longer out of reach, and join a global debate about the future of our “blue planet”.

Syllabus

Week 1: A hidden landscape
Week 2: Mobilis in mobili
Week 3: A living soup
Week 4: The future of the ocean

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Evaluate the degree to which humans have mapped the ocean and its habitats
  • Identify key controls on seawater composition and circulation
  • Assess the distribution of salt in the ocean
  • Interpret Collector's Curves to estimate numbers of undiscovered new species
  • Explain some adaptations to life in deep ocean habitats
  • Reflect on personal effectiveness in limiting potential impacts on ocean environments
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