Instructors:

Prof. Shaowen Liu (Room B222, Kunshan Building; shaowliu@nju.edu.cn)
Prof. Yong Yin (Room B218, Kunshan Building; yinyong@nju.edu.cn)

Course Objectives: 
To develop the students an general understanding of a broad range of active science topics in the marine geology, including the topography, sediments, structure and evolution of ocean basins, and the tools and methods used by marine geologists. To demonstrate the interconnectedness of disciplinary fields and the value of interdisciplinary research. To provide a common knowledge base for the students, sufficient to enable students to fully participate in talks or seminars presented within the marine geology field.

Course Assessment: 
The assessment would include the mid-term and final exams, class participation and nonscheduled quizzes. Their percentages are assigned as follows:
1. Class participation (10%)
2. Mid-term exam (20%) 
3. Quiz (20%) 
4. Final exam (50%)

Course Readings:
You are not required to purchase a textbook for the course. Several books are available in the library. Reading assignments from these textbooks and scientific journal articles are delivered in class regarding the lecture schedule topics. Here are some reference books:
1. Seibold E, Berger WH. 1996. The Sea Floor: An introduction to Marine Geology （3rd Edition）. Springer-Verlag.
2. Wright J, and Rothery DA. 1998. The ocean basins: their structure and evolution (2nd Edition). Butterworth-Heinemann.
3. James P. Kennett. 1982. Marine Geology. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Tentative lecture topics:
1. Introduction
2. Surveying methods and techniques in marine geology
3. Seafloor topography and oceanic crust
4. Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics
5. Coastal zone and delta sedimentation
6. Modern offshore carbonate sedimentation and coral reefs
7. Continental margin sedimentation
8. Oceanic sedimentation
9. Marine biology and productivity
10. Volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis
11. Marine hazards and prevention 
12. Seafloor resources