This course will provide a basic introduction to physical, chemical, and biological properties of Earth's ocean. The course is divided into three parts that address various aspects of the marine carbon cycle, including carbon and tracer transport by the ocean circulation, carbonate chemistry, and fixation/respiration of carbon by biological processes. These parts are tied to three key questions that highlight the ocean's role in the global climate system: What processes contribute to the redistribution of heat and other tracers in the ocean. What controls the rate at which heat and carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean? How do marine biological processes influence the storage of carbon in the deep ocean? The course will also provide perspectives on ocean observational and modeling techniques and how these tools are used to project future changes to Earth’s climate.