Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - EVSC 206 D100

Coastal Marine Science (3)

Class Number: 4052

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2025
    Thu, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of EASC 101, EVSC 100, GEOG 111, GEOG 118, or REM 100. Prerequisite or Corequisite: One of BISC 101, BISC 102, CHEM 121, PHYS 101, or PHYS 120; or permission of the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to fundamental concepts about the functioning of the coastal ocean. An interdisciplinary approach to understanding coastal marine science including an introduction to the geology, physics, and chemistry of BC's coastal marine waters. Fosters an appreciation for the diversity and importance of life along the coastal margins of British Columbia. Students who have taken EVSC 395 under the title "Coastal Marine Science" in Spring 2024 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The ocean is the defining feature of our blue planet, and of our coastal province along the western margin of Canada. This course is designed to introduce environmental scientists to the essential principles and fundamental concepts about the functioning of the coastal ocean. We take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding coastal marine science in our region in which students can expect to be introduced to the geography, physics, chemistry and biology of BC's coastal marine waters. The course strives to foster an appreciation for the diversity and importance of life along the coastal margins of British Columbia.

The content of EVSC 206 is intended for students interested in learning about coastal marine science and developing a basic understanding of the ocean processes along the BC coastline. Students will be expected to examine datasets by developing some quantitative skills using the R programming language.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students will be introduced to the principles of coastal oceanography and the course aims to:

  • Motivate an intrinsic interest in coastal marine science and appreciation of our 'blue planet'
  • Explore the interactions of geology, physics, and chemistry of coastal waters
  • Develop an appreciation of the pelagic and benthic waters along BC coastal waters
  • Understand how oceanographic data is obtained and what it tells us
  • Provide experience exploring and analysing datasets from basic oceanographic observations in R

Grading

  • Assignments 40%
  • Midterm 1 20%
  • Midterm 2 20%
  • Final Exam 20%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  • The course will require the widely-used programming language R for statistical computing and graphics. This will be required for some course assignments. Students are expected to download and install R or RStudio onto their computer from this website:
    • https://www.r-project.org/
    • https://rstudio.com/products/rstudio/
  • Students are expected to have access to a laptop computer. Computers are available on loan from the SFU Bennett library.

REQUIRED READING:

  • Chapters from the textbook "Essentials of Oceanography" by Alan P. Trujillo and Harold V. Thurman. The professor will be using the 12th Edition which is offered through SFU Library as an e-book.
  • The course will be based on several additional sources that are more specific to BC such as DFO's "Oceanography of the BC Coast" and a guide to ocean analyses "Oceanographic Analysis with R" by an Eastcoast Canadian oceanographer, Dan Kelley.
  • Other resources will be identified throughout the semester.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.