The introductory Physical Oceanography laboratory class (Oceanography 10) at Los Angeles Valley College has been offered for two semesters in the online format using the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Online Ocean Studies curriculum. The AMS Online Studies curriculum is a nationally recognized program that examines the world ocean by using current oceanographic data and investigations in real-time delivered via the Internet and is currently licensed by over 300 undergraduate institutions.

Oceanography 10 is the 2-unit introductory laboratory course that accompanies the introductory Oceanography 1 lecture course. Laboratory assignments from the AMS Online Ocean Studies curriculum are selected to complement the material covered in the lecture course over the 15-week semester. Videocasts of the instructor demonstrating key concepts covered in the AMS curriculum such as pressure, density, and ocean circulation are incorporated into the course and available to the students using free Real Player software. The AMS real-time laboratory assignments have been well-received by the students. Student reviews of the first semester offering of the AMS Online Ocean Studies curriculum in spring 2007 indicate a positive reaction by the students towards using the real-time data. The enrollment for the Oceanography 10 laboratory course in spring 2007 increased from an average of 22 in the traditional face-to-face class to 37 using the AMS Online Ocean Studies curriculum. Initial enrollment for the fall semester in the Oceanography 10 online laboratory course was thirty-five students. Pre- and post- assessments prepared by AMS were introduced to the class during the fall 2007 semester. Results of these assessments will be available by January 2008.