Course Description:

This course will focus on the geological evidence and causes for change in the Earth System (coupled lithosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere-atmosphere) over the last 4.5 billion years. It will be taught using specific case studies from selected time intervals, which will change on a yearly basis. Possible topics will include global biogeochemical cycling of C,S,O; deep biosphere geobiology and the origin and evolution of life; proxy indicators for global change; evolution of the atmosphere; the stratigraphic record of sea level change and plate reconstruction. The course will be team taught, in which individual instructors will focus on a particular topic, providing some lectures for background prior to reading the important literature.

Location and Time:

ESC2119, Mondays 12 to 2PM

Marking Scheme 2009

• 10% Attendance
• 10% Participation
• 40% Presentation
• 20% Abstract
• 20% Chairship

Course ressources

• Required Reading: James Lovelock, The Ages of Gaia, Oxford University Press