GEOL189C PO - Oceans on a Habitable Planet: Past and Present

When Offered: Last offered 2022.
Instructor(s): M. Prokopenko
Credit: 1

This course covers basic principles of physical, chemical and biological oceanography, with elements of paleoceanography and climate studies. Topics include: origins of oceans, origin of life, ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycling, global change on various timescales and chemical/isotopic traces of past ocean/climate history. Emphasis on specific topics is subject to change from year to year depending on student interests. A quantitative component introduces students to simple geochemical modeling (e.g. box models of element cycling). A blend of lectures, student-led seminar discussions, and hands-on modeling exercises will make up class meetings; course project work will make use of the Geology department geochemical and/or computational research facilities. Prerequisites: either GEOL 015 PO or any version of a GEOL020 course or EA 100L KS) or an introductory level chemistry course. The course is offered as an intermediate level elective. Letter grade only.

Satisfies the following General Education Requirement(s), subject to conditions explained in the Degree Requirements section of this Catalog:
Area 4