Geobiology: History of Life on Earth

3-0-9 units · Undergraduate

Introduces the processes by which biological and geological systems interact across Earth history, and the interpretation of the geochemical and paleontological record of these interactions. Surveys Earth history from the perspective of biological evolution, including major transitions in microbial and complex life, and corresponding ecological, environmental, and planetary changes. Topics include the early history of Earth and its ocean and atmosphere; biogeochemical cycles and microbial metabolisms; organismal evolutionary processes and the fossil record; the organic and inorganic biogeochemical record; snowball Earths and glacial periods; the history of climate changes, major mass extinctions and biodiversity. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.