EARTH 156
Coral Reefs Dynamics | Syllabus
Earth 156 is a first year seminar that focuses on the biology and ecology of modern reefs. The high biodiversity and different interactions between the major organisms living in coral reefs are discussed together with the ways in which our species affects the reefs both directly and indirectly through climate change. The class also investigates the evolution of reef communities and their composition over geologic time, with an emphasis on the role that coral reefs have played in the geology of Michigan.
The course combines student presentations and discussions with traditional lectures.
No background in science is necessary.
EARTH 141
Earth Sciences in Featured Films | Syllabus
Earth 141 is a first year seminar that focuses on a few major geological and oceanographic concepts in a lecture setting while also exploring how these same processes are portrayed in popular feature films, both animated and not. Through these exercises, students will reflect and discuss critically on the use or misuse of scientific concepts in popular culture, specifically movies. Topics include surface and deep ocean circulation, glacial/interglacial cycles, Earth’s internal structure, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, coral reefs, life in the ocean, and climate change. A selection of movies that students will be required to watch outside of our class time and analyze in the form of essays and group discussions, is: The day after tomorrow, The Ice Age, The core, San Andreas, Finding Nemo, The Lorax.
The course combines student presentations and discussions with traditional lectures.
No background in science is necessary.
EARTH 417
Geology of the Great Lakes | Syllabus
Earth 417 is an upper level geology class that focuses on the geologic history of the Great Lakes of North America. The class covers the geologic events involved in the formation of the Great Lakes over the past 4 billion years, including the formation of the Michigan Basin and the development of the current Ice Age. Topics such as lake circulation, physical environment of sedimentation, and environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes are also examined.
Students enrolled in Geology of the Great Lakes will be able to enroll in an optional 2-week extension of the class taking place at the UofM Biological Station in August. This experience will expand and enhance the subjects discussed in the last part of class with basic field-work, field trips, and discussions with on-site researchers and experts.
EARTH 104
The Ice Ages: Past and Present | Syllabus
Earth 104 is a mini-course that explores the Earth’s climate system and how at times its various components operate to produce extensive ice sheets that cover large parts of the Earth’s surface. The role of each of the major components of the climate system will be discussed. These include ice sheets, astronomical inputs, the oceans, the atmosphere, and plate tectonics. Reconstructions of past climatic conditions are discussed in terms of how they were developed and how they can be related with the climatic warming associated with the recent large increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Exam and quizzes will be taken on Canvas.
No background in science is necessary.
Offered Intermittently
EARTH 151
EARTH 151The Ice Ages: Past and Present | Syllabus
Earth 151 is a first year seminar that explores the Earth’s climate system and how at times its various components operate to produce extensive ice sheets that cover large parts of the Earth’s surface. The role of each of the major components of the climate system will be discussed in detail. These include ice sheets themselves, astronomical inputs, the oceans, the atmosphere, and plate tectonics. Reconstructions of past climatic conditions are presented and discussed in terms of how they were developed, what they can tell us about climatic extremes, and how they can be related with more rapid climate oscillations, particularly the climatic warming associated with the recent large increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases.
The course combines student presentations and discussions with traditional lectures.
No background in science is necessary.
