EARTH 156
Coral Reefs Dynamics | Syllabus
Earth 156 is a freshmen 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.
ENVIRON 111
Climate Change and Sustainability: Environmental Challenges of the 21st Century | Syllabus
Increasingly, millions of human-initiated and natural activities are altering the planet on which we live. Over the past century, through our ever-increasing population and mastery of technology, we have been changing our planet’s environment at a pace unknown in Earth’s natural history.
In Global Change – The Sustainability Challenge, students will study the impacts of modern human society on land, ocean, air, ecosystems, resources and human well-being. We will also consider practical, local, and every-day considerations relevant to a sustainable human future.
Group discussions and analysis of spatial data are used to investigate the role and impacts of change, toward developing mitigation and adaptation strategies.
In addition, as part of the hands-on component of the course, students are asked to take a pledge during the semester that would make their lifestyle more sustainable. We will then analyze the impact that each individual change could make in our journey toward sustainability.
No background in science required.
This class has an optional 2-weeks class extension, Environ 300-177, taking place in August, at the University of Michigan Biological Station.
https://env111.pite.lsa.umich.edu
This class has an optional 3-weeks class extension, Environ 245, GCC Italy- Environment, taking place in July 2020, in Italy between Milan, Venice, and Florence.
https://lsa.umich.edu/cgis/undergraduate-students/programs0/gcc/gcc-italy-environment-.html
EARTH 100
Coral Reefs |Syllabus
Earth 100 is an in-depth tour of the biological and physical processes active in modern reef systems to provide a detailed understanding of the ecology of the individual organisms and the complex nature of their interactions within the reef community. Evolution of the reef community is examined, ranging from the crude framework structures formed over one billion years ago by primitive algae to luxuriant and diversified reefs of the modern-day oceans. The implications of man’s intervention in the Earth’s hydrosphere and atmosphere on the character of future reef communities are also considered.
Exams and quizzes will be taken on Canvas.
No background in science is necessary.
EARTH 106
Earth Sciences in Featured Films | Syllabus
Earth 106 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. This will allow students to learn to reflect 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 class time is: The day after tomorrow, The Ice Age, The core, San Andreas, Finding Nemo, The Lorax.
Exams and quizzes will be taken on Canvas.
No background in science is necessary.
EARTH 110
Evolving Oceans | Syllabus
Earth 110 is a mini-course that explores the impacts of climate change on the world’s oceans and the history of past oceanic life, events, and environments as recorded in seafloor sediments. Lectures address the nature and rate of past and modern (anthropogenic) perturbations to the physical, chemical, and biological state of the oceans.
Exams and quizzes will be taken on Canvas.
No background in science is necessary.
Offered Intermittently
EARTH 222/ENVIRON 232
Introductory Oceanography | Syllabus
Earth 222 introduces students to the scientific study of the oceans. Contents include the shape, structure, and origin of the ocean basins; the sedimentary record of oceanic life and conditions in the past; the composition of seawater and its influence on life and climate; waves and currents; the life of the oceans and how it depends upon the marine environment; the resources of the ocean and their wise use by society. The course format consists of lectures and readings from an assigned textbook.
Introductory Oceanography fulfils half of the LS&A Quantitative Reasoning requirement (QR/2). Taken together with Earth 223, Oceanography Laboratory, it fulfils the entire QR requirement.
This class had an optional 3-weeks extension in Italy, in July 2018, ‘Oceanography in Italy’, Earth 296.
https://earth296.earth.lsa.umich.edu/italy/
No background in science is necessary.
