Geobiology

Undergraduate

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.