GEOBIOLOGY
An integrative approach to studying the interaction between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere as they have evolved during earth history. Overarching theme includes ocean-climate system changes, biogeochemical cycles, evolution from microbes to mammals, and critical events in life history.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: GEOSCI 204 or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness Breadth - Biological Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze fundamental processes that regulate environmental conditions on the surface of Earth. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Apply basic biological concepts to reveal the role of microbial metabolisms in nutrient and carbon cycling. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Examine how various geochemical proxies (i.e. isotopic systems) are used to study biogeochemical cycles. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Investigate the evolutionary tree of life on Earth and how it is reconstructed. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Analyze processes that drive speciation and extinction. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Characterize watershed events that have contributed to the evolutionary history of Life on Earth. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Read the published literature in geobiology. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 8. Compare findings from multiple published papers with competing interpretations of the geobiological record. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze fundamental processes that regulate environmental conditions on the surface of Earth. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Apply basic biological concepts to reveal the role of microbial metabolisms in nutrient and carbon cycling. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Examine how various geochemical proxies (i.e. isotopic systems) are used to study biogeochemical cycles. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Investigate the evolutionary tree of life on Earth and how it is reconstructed. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Analyze processes that drive speciation and extinction. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Characterize watershed events that have contributed to the evolutionary history of Life on Earth. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Read the published literature in geobiology. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 8. Compare findings from multiple published papers with competing interpretations of the geobiological record. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027