Cal Poly at Sea

Students will take a minimum of 12 Cal Poly quarter units plus 2 CMA semester units of training. All students on board must take a 40-hour life saving program that helps prepare them for emergencies that may occur on board. This course is scheduled one week prior to departure. A 30-hour seminar is also provided to allow students to familiarize themselves with fire safety, seamanship, navigation, engineering, communication, rescue-at-sea, and marine environmental protection. If you have questions about Spring 2008 courses you can contact the faculty directly:

Course Descriptions
CRU 190 - Basic Safety Training - 1 semester credit
This course is a primer for visiting students and staff in basic shipboard safety awareness and provides basic training in lifesaving and firefighting procedures and is modeled after the Coast Guard and IMO approved BST matrix. It includes both knowledge-based topics and laboratory demonstrated proficiencies in lifesaving and firefighting equipment usage and personal safety techniques.

CRU 195 - Introduction to Marine Operations - 1 semester credit
An introductory course for visiting programs designed to introduce nontraditional maritime students to various shipboard operational requirements necessary to make modern seagoing vessels function efficiently.

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ANT 201 Cultural Anthropology (D3) - 4 units
Contemporary human cultures throughout the world. General patterns sought within the diversity of individual cultures. Includes such topics as: family organization; gender roles; adaptation to the environment; systems of economic exchange; political organization and leadership; religious beliefs and values; ethnicity and cultural pluralism; impact of Western culture on the developing world. 4 lectures.

ANT X345 Human Behavioral Ecology (D5) - 4 units
Biological and cultural influences of natural and sexual selection on individual behavior. Ecological effects on human behavior to reproduce and acquire resources. Scientific method for understanding foraging behavior, group living, social skills, kinship, parenting, religion, and mating. Cross-cultural, cross-sex, and cross-species comparisons. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of one GE B2 and one lower-division Area D course.

ASTR 112 - Introduction to Stars and Galaxies (B3 & B4) - 4 units
A study of the Sun, stars, galaxies, and larger structures in the Universe, including their formation, structure, motions, and evolution. Cosmological models for the formation and expansion of the Universe, and the roles played by dark matter and dark energy. Laboratory activities include shipboard observation of stars and constellations, celestial navigation, tracking the motions of the Sun, Moon, and planets, and selected other activities. Not open to students who have completed or are taking Astr 102, Astr 301, Astr 302, or Phys 132. Astr 101 is not a prerequisite. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

ASTR 112 is the same course as ASTR 102 but it carries lab credit (which some students need for GE purposes) because part of the time is spent in activities rather than lecture. Activities will include the use of a "Desktop Planetarium" disk that comes with the textbook and - of course - many nights star gazing under the balmy tropical skies during which you'll learn to recognize stars, planets, and constellations, including the Southern Cross and other constellations of the southern hemisphere.

BIO 111 General Biology (B2 & B4) - 4 units
Principles of cellular biology, heredity, ecology, biological diversity, and evolution, with emphasis on their relationships to human affairs. A Saturday field trip may be required. Not open to students who have completed BIO 115 or BIO 161. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

BIO 351 Principles of Genetics - 5 units
Principles of genetics and genetic analysis, including underlying molecular mechanisms. Subjects include gene structure and function, inheritance patterns, regulation of gene expression, mutation, recombination, recombinant DNA technology, and an introduction to population genetics. 5 lectures. Prerequisite: BIO 161 and CHEM 312 or CHEM 316. Recommended: BIO 263 and STAT 218.

CHEM 470 Selected Advanced Topics - Environmental Chemistry - 4 units
Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Emphasis on environmental chemistry for this quarter. Total credit limited to 8 units. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: CHEM 305, or CHEM 351, or CHEM 217/317 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 123 - College Physics III - 4 units
Continuation of PHYS 121 and 122. Electrostatics, electric current, magnetic fields and induction. Elements of modern physics. Not open for credit to students having a grade of C- or better in PHYS 133. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 121. Recommended: PHYS 122.

PHYS 123 is being offered so that biology majors can take a required course. The prerequisite is PHYS 121, so students can take PHYS 123 first and 122 later. If you've not already started the PHYS 121-122-123 sequence, the main thing is to MAKE SURE YOU TAKE PHYS 121 DURING WINTER so that you can enroll in PHYS 123 for spring.

Because PHYS 123 has a lab component, we will find 3 or 4 nights late in winter quarter where we'll set up the experiments and make all the essential measurements. You will bring your data with you to complete the analysis onboard ship. Because we'll already have done the labs, and the lecture part of the course is 3 units, PHYS 123 will have a few "holidays" onboard ship.

PSC 201 - Introduction to Physical Oceanography (B5) - 4 units
Ocean origin, evolution, and sea floor features. Sediments, sea water, the ocean and our climate. Ocean surface and deep currents, waves and tides, the coastal ocean. Marine life, food production, organisms, environments and lifestyles. Coastal development, pollution and food. Ocean resources and law. Shipboard activities include investigations of water samples, currents, winds and weather, navigation, and possible participation in oceanographic experiments with other universities and agencies. 4 lectures.

PSC 320 Energy and the Environment for the New Millennium (F) - 4 units
Science and technology of current and future energy sources along with associated environmental problems. Energy production, consumption, efficient usage, fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, other renewables. Risks, benefits, planning, economics. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area B, and junior standing.

PSC 320 is a GE Area F class examining one of today's most important issues - energy and the environment. We'll look at how the U.S. and other countries get and use energy, the environmental consequences (including global warming), and at alternative energies such as wind and solar. This class does use numbers and simple calculations at the level of high-school algebra, so be sure to pack a calculator.

REC 325 Outdoor and Adventure Leadership - 4 units
Theoretical principles and experience in leadership, judgment, and decision-making in outdoor and adventure settings. Total credit limited to 8 units. Class Schedule will list topic selected. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: REC 205, junior standing or consent of instructor.

REC 400 Special Problems For Advanced Undergraduates- 4 units
This interactive class will be structured around small groups of students who will research and investigate various recreation, parks, and tourism topics related to the countries of travel. For example, a small group of students will work together to examine issues related to sports or tourism. They will look at many components of these issues, such as budgets, marketing, availability, users, facilities, etc.