Courses: GEOV244 Principles in Geobiology - Spring 2017
Credits
10.0
Language of Instruction
English
Teaching semester
Spring. Regular tasks during the semester in which the class is taught.
Place of Instruction
Bergen
Objectives and Content
This course centres on major global biogeochemical element cycles and their controlling processes. The course also covers major events in Earth¿s geobiological evolution, and how aspects of the history of life can be reconstructed by combining geochemical and fossil evidence. The goal is for students to understand the biological drivers and consequences of key transitions in Earth¿s history, for example the rise of oxygen, the «snowball» Earth, and the Cambrian explosion.
Learning Outcomes
After completement of the course the student should be able to:
give an overview of the earth´s main reservoirs of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, iron and oxygen, and the geological and biological processes that control the fluxes between these reservoirs
give an overview of the main microbial biomineralization processes and the most common biominerals in different environments
describe the major classes of biosignature (microfossils, organic biomarkers, isotope records) and how these are used to reconstruct the Earth¿s geobiological history
describe key processes and events in the co-evolution of Earth and life
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
GEOV105 (Historical Geology and palaeontology) and GEOV109 (Introduction to Geochemistry) are strongly recommended
Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching
Lectures 2 hours per week for 12 weeks
Practicals 2 hours per week for 12 weeks
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Written tasks (essays and exercises)
Forms of Assessment
Portfolio assessment: 3 essays on seminar topics, exercises
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Autumn. Regular tasks is only possible for the semester in which the class is taught.
Course Evaluation
Students will evaluate teaching in accordance with the University of Bergen and the institute¿s quality assurance scheme.
Contact Information
You can find contact information to lecturers and administrative responsible on Mitt UiB, or by contacting the study administration at the Department of Earth Science