Oceanography OCEA

4 courses · MiraCosta College · 2026-2027 Catalog

Classes: Fall 2026

OCEA 101 Introduction to Oceanography

Units: 3
Hours: Lecture 3 hours
Transfers to: CSU, UC (with credit limitation)

Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in OCEA 101H.

Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course explores the major processes and features of the world's oceans. Topics include the origin and history of the ocean basins, atmospheric circulation and weather, ocean circulation, and the dynamics of waves, tides, and coastlines. The course also reviews marine life (including plankton, nekton, benthos, and marine mammals), explores the oceans as a resource for people, and considers human impacts on marine environments. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for OCEA 101 or OCEA 101H.

Offered: Fall 2026 (11 sections)

OCEA 101H Introduction to Oceanography (Honors)

Units: 3
Hours: Lecture 3 hours
Transfers to: CSU, UC (with credit limitation)

Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in OCEA 101.

Course Typically Offered: Spring even years

This course offers students an enriched introduction to the scientific study of the oceans. The course explores the major processes and features of the world's oceans, including plate tectonics, the origin and history of the ocean basins, atmospheric circulation, weather and climate, ocean circulation, and the dynamics of waves, tides, and coastlines. The course also reviews marine life (including plankton, nekton, benthos, and marine mammals), explores the oceans as a resource for people, and considers human impacts on marine environments. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for OCEA 101 or OCEA 101H.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

OCEA 101L Introductory Oceanography Laboratory

Units: 1
Hours: Laboratory 3 hours
Prerequisite: OCEA 101 or OCEA 101H
Transfers to: CSU, UC

Enrollment Limitation: Concurrent enrollment in OCEA 101 or OCEA 101H if prerequisite not met.

Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course is designed to accompany Oceanography 101 or 101H. It offers experience with oceanographic materials and methods in both the laboratory and field. Topics include reading navigational charts, interpreting sea floor features, analyzing marine sediments and seawater chemistry, and studying waves and tides.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

OCEA 292 Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-14
Corequisite: Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
Transfers to: CSU

Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. Fourteen unit maximum in any combination of work experience education and/or internship studies per semester.

Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

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