Biogeochemistry

Undergraduate

An investigation of global change focusing on the chemical, physical, and biological processes that cycle elements through Earth's systems. Topics covered in this course will include: the role of bacteria in mediating element cycles, the conundrum of the origin of life, microbial impacts on global element cycles, microbe-water-rock interactions (including sorption, oxidation-reduction, methylation of metals, biological degradation of organic molecules). Introduction to molecular biology and isotope techniques to solve environmental problems). (Prerequisites: ESCI-2131) (3 lecture and/or tutorial hours per week.)