Geology 208: Paleontology
Nearly all species that have existed on Earth are now extinct and are only known through the fossil record. This course examines the evolution and history of life on Earth as interpreted from the fossil record. Topics include fossil preservation, taphonomy, ontogeny, diversity trajectories through geologic time, evolutionary mechanisms, extinction, paleobiology, paleoecology and paleoclimate. Special emphasis will be placed on using fossils to interpret ancient environments as well as deciphering past climates. The course focuses on the fossil record of marine invertebrates, but major groups of vertebrates and plants are also covered.
Geology 254: Global Climate Change
Climate is fundamentally relevant to modern and ancient societies. Global warming is occurring today, and whether it is driven by human activities (e.g., CO2, CH4 emissions) or by natural climate cycles can only be determined by understanding natural climatic variability. Fortunately, there are many tools, natural climatic records, that can provide us with information on past climate (e.g. tree rings, ice cores from glaciers, and sediment cores from lakes and oceans). Obtaining, documenting and interpreting these records is the field of paleoclimatology, and it is the focus of this course. Lectures will be punctuated by numerous class meetings with discussion of current climate literature, and specific issues relevant to global climate change. Prerequisite: Any introductory level science course.
Environmental Studies 100: An Introduction to Environmental Studies
This course will discuss the impacts that human activities are having on natural systems such as air, water and species diversity. There is no more important time to understand the consequences of human activities: our impacts on such processes as atmospheric chemistry, land cover, and the rate of extinctions are so great that they can be measured on a global scale. Some of these consequences – including climate change, the loss of ecosystem function and the loss of arable cropland – will likely be some of the most important issues facing your generation.
Environmental Studies is a truly multi-disciplinary subject that requires an understanding of science, economics, politics, law, and even engineering. Thus, this course will include a diverse range of discussions, including geology, ecology, engineering, economics, and public policy.
Environmental Studies 460: Senior Capstone Course – Environmental Studies
This capstone course for the environmental studies program brings together the expertise and experience of all environmental science and policy seniors to study contemporary environmental issues, usually related to a single topic or small number of topics. Issues may include legal cases, legislation and regulation, application of technology to social problems, and national and global environmental policy. Class time will include discussion, debate, class presentations, and outside speakers. Research and presentation of findings will be stressed. In the past our underlying theme was Genetically Engineered Food.
You will be playing the role of an independent environmental consulting agency. Congress has asked you to analyze the risks and benefits of Genetically Engineered Foods. Each group of students will look into a specific topic related to GE foods and will write a report based on primary literature. In this report, the possible risks and benefits will be discussed and a policy will be suggested. At the end of the course, the whole class will be responsible for drafting a white paper on GE foods, which will be followed by a 15 minute congressional testimony. A poster presentation of each of the topics will also be held.
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