GE 335 Topics in Geobiology (Spring: 3)

Prerequisite: Two years of college work or permission of the instructor
Offered Biennially
Geobiology is broadly concerned with the dynamic interface between biology and geology as deduced from Earth's 4-billion-year rock record. These long term interactions between the biosphere and the lithosphere that have resulted in irreversible changes in the Earth's surface environment. Course content begins with a review of Earth systems science and biogeochemical cycles along with the organisms that produce those cycles. Next, we examine the role played by the environment in biological evolution--biogeography, speciation, extinction, and species richness through geologic time. We end with the evolution of the atmosphere and oceans, including the study of global warming.
Paul K. Strother

Last Updated: 04-OCT-12