Essentials of Oceanography, 12th edition

Hallmark interdisciplinary approach to oceanography

• Students are introduced to the biological, physical, chemical, and geological aspects of what lies beneath the sea, giving them comprehensive insight into its unique systems and properties.
• NEW! Climate Connection and Interdisciplinary Relationship icons highlight the overarching theme of climate change in the oceans, and the relationship between two or more sub-disciplines in oceanography: geological, chemical, physical, and biological.
• NEW! Interdisciplinary Relationship icons throughout show how various sections of the text relate to two or more of these sub-disciplines.

Brings Oceanography to Life Through Pedagogy

• NEW! SmartTables are engaging lecture videos created with information from a selected set of data in the chapter that clearly explain the relevance of each data set.
• NEW! SmartFigures are 3- to 4-minute video lessons in which oceanography experts explain difficult concepts and data. By scanning the accompanying QR code or typing in the short URL, students have a multitude of ways to learn from art and data tables, all designed to teach.
• NEW! Squidtoons, a comic-style call-out created by a team of graduate students at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, are featured in each chapter. These infographics highlight an important marine organism related to each chapter’s content. Each displays a recent discovery by researchers interestingly and captivatingly. By scanning the associated QR code or typing in the URL in the text, students can view the full cartoon.
• NEW! Enhanced illustration program includes new art that incorporates a research-proven teaching technique. By strategically placing annotations and labels within the key figures, the text helps students focus on the most relevant visual information and interpret complex art. Overall, nearly 90% of the entire book’s artwork is new or updated, including new figures visually summarize of essential processes and concepts.
• UPDATED! Diving Deeper boxes highlight captivating examples and stories related to chapter topics, and now include an additional assessment to make them assignable for faculty.
  • Historical Features focus on historical developments in oceanography.
  • Research Methods in Oceanography help students understand how oceanographic knowledge is obtained.
  • Oceans and People looks at how humans interact with the ocean.
  • Focus on the Environment emphasizes environmental issues, an increasingly important component of the book.
• Sometimes Students Ask features display common and often entertaining questions posed by real students, like “Why do my fingers get wrinkly when they are in the water for a long time?”
• UPDATED! Critical Thinking/Project Based Assessments have been added more frequently throughout the text, encouraging students to think deeply about chapter topics.

UPDATED! Difficult chapter topics have been revised for better student retention

• NEW! A Chapter on Marine Pollution introduces a timely and important topic to the text.
• REVISED! Chapters 1 (The Coriolis Effect), 2 (Waves), and 3 (Ecosystems/Fisheries) have been revised for clearer and more effective coverage.
• Accessible language and scientific etymons throughout the text clarify scientific terms.

Modular, objective-driven learning path

• Each chapter is organized into easily digestible chunks, m

• Climate Connection and Interdisciplinary Relationship icons highlight the overarching theme of climate change in the oceans, and the relationship between two or more sub-disciplines in oceanography: geological, chemical, physical, and biological.
• Interdisciplinary Relationship icons throughout show how various sections of the text relate to two or more of these sub-disciplines.

Brings Oceanography to Life Through Pedagogy

• SmartTables are engaging lecture videos created with information from a selected set of data in the chapter that clearly explain the relevance of each data set.
• SmartFigures are 3- to 4-minute video lessons in which oceanography experts explain difficult concepts and data. By scanning the accompanying QR code or typing in the short URL, students have a multitude of ways to learn from art and data tables, all designed to teach.
• Squidtoons, a comic-style call-out created by a team of graduate students at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, are featured in each chapter. These infographics highlight an important marine organism related to each chapter’s content. Each displays a recent discovery by researchers interestingly and captivatingly. By scanning the associated QR code or typing in the URL in the text, students can view the full cartoon.
• Enhanced illustration program includes new art that incorporates a research-proven teaching technique. By strategically placing annotations and labels within the key figures, the text helps students focus on the most relevant visual information and interpret complex art. Overall, nearly 90% of the entire book’s artwork is new or updated, including new figures visually summarize of essential processes and concepts.
• UPDATED! Diving Deeper boxes highlight captivating examples and stories related to chapter topics, and now include an additional assessment to make them assignable for faculty.
  • Historical Features focus on historical developments in oceanography.
  • Research Methods in Oceanography help students understand how oceanographic knowledge is obtained.
  • Oceans and People looks at how humans interact with the ocean.
  • Focus on the Environment emphasizes environmental issues, an increasingly important component of the book.
• UPDATED! Critical Thinking/Project Based Assessments have been added more frequently throughout the text, encouraging students to think deeply about chapter topics.  

UPDATED! Difficult chapter topics have been revised for better student retention

• NEW! A Chapter on Marine Pollution introduces a timely and important topic to the text.
• REVISED! Chapters 1 (The Coriolis Effect), 2 (Waves), and 3 (Ecosystems/Fisheries) have been revised for clearer and more effective coverage.

Modular, objective-driven learning path

• A Recap feature in each chapter summarizes essential concepts. This is a great tool for directing students' study and review.

Also available with MasteringOceanography^™

MasteringOceanography from Pearson is the leading online homework, tutorial, and assessment system, designed to improve results by engaging students before, during, and after class with powerful content. Instructors ensure students arrive ready to learn by assigning educationally effective content before class, and encourage critical thinking and retention with in-class resources such as Learning Catalytics. Students can further master concepts after class through traditional and adaptive homework assignments that provide