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Exploring Our Ocean

Sarah Fielding, Rachel Mills, Nicky Farrow, Adeline Dutrieux, Vicki Taylor, Moira MacLean, Wenhao Wang, Bastien Linol, Stephanie Plön, Adam Reed, Jörg Wiedenmann, Phillip Fenberg, Jon Copley, and Ken Collins

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Everyone is welcome to take this course, and no previous knowledge is required or assumed. You can use the hashtag #FLocean to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Everyone is welcome to take this course, and no previous knowledge is required or assumed. You can use the hashtag #FLocean to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • History of ocean exploration
  • Modern mapping of the ocean
  • The movement of ocean currents
  • The composition of the ocean
  • Ocean biodiversity
  • Characteristics of life in the deep sea
  • Ocean resources and ownership
  • Human impacts on the ocean
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Reviews summary

Broad introduction to oceanography for beginners

According to learners, Exploring Our Ocean provides a largely positive and accessible introduction to a wide range of topics in oceanography. Many found the course's presentation engaging and the content easy to digest, making it an excellent starting point for those new to the subject or seeking general knowledge. However, a significant number of students note that while the course offers broad coverage, it often lacks significant depth, which might make it less suitable for learners with prior knowledge or those requiring detailed insights for professional purposes. Some reviews also suggest that certain sections could benefit from updates to reflect current scientific understanding or global issues.
Covers many oceanography topics.
"A really good overview. Covers lots of different aspects from physics to biology."
"It covers a lot but doesn't go into much depth on any topic."
"It gives you a great starting point to understand the complexities of our oceans."
Lectures are clear and visuals good.
"The instructors explain everything clearly."
"Loved this course! The lectures were well-produced, and the visuals were stunning."
"The content is presented okay, but there's no substance."
Excellent starting point for newcomers.
"This course is fantastic for anyone wanting a broad introduction to the ocean."
"It's accessible and engaging. Great for general knowledge."
"Excellent foundational course! The modules are bite-sized and easy to digest."
"Perfect for fitting into a busy schedule and easy to follow."
Content is too superficial for advanced study.
"Disappointed by the lack of detail. The course touches on many interesting things but never explores them properly."
"As someone with some prior knowledge, I didn't learn much new. Feels too superficial."
"Waste of time if you want anything beyond basic facts. This is extremely superficial."
"Felt more like a high-level summary. Good if you know absolutely nothing, but if you have some background, it might feel a bit basic."

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Our Ocean will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Exploring Our Ocean.
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The Edge of the Sea
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The Double Helix
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The Sixth Extinction
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Course image
Time
12 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institution
University of Southampton
Instructors
Sarah Fielding
Rachel Mills
Nicky Farrow
Adeline Dutrieux
Vicki Taylor
Moira MacLean
Wenhao Wang
Bastien Linol
Stephanie Plön
Adam Reed
Jörg Wiedenmann
Phillip Fenberg
Jon Copley
Ken Collins
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