EARS 72 Geobiology

Geobiology – the study of interactions between earth and life over geologic timescales – is a young and transdisciplinary field that has grown out of exciting advances in the earth and life sciences. This course examines the many ways in which life has left its mark on our planet. Topics include the origin of life, microbial metabolism and the rise of oxygen on Earth 2.5 billion years ago, the evolution of biomineralization, the environmental context for animal evolution 540 million years ago, planetary/life interactions and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. Geobiology utilizes tools and ideas from geology, geochemistry, geomicrobiology and paleoecology. Course content and required readings draw from the evolving ideas in the scientific literature.

Instructor

Leavitt

Prerequisite

CHEM 5 or permission of the instructor. EARS 31 or BIOL 16 recommended.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SCI

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Offered

• Fall