Courses:

Course Info

• Course Number / Code:
• 12.007 (Spring 2007) 
• Course Title:
• Geobiology 
• Course Level:
• Undergraduate 
• Offered by :
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  Massachusetts, United States  
• Department:
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences 
• Course Instructor(s):
• Prof. Roger Summons 
• Course Introduction:
•  
• 
  
  12.007 Geobiology
  
  
  
  

  Spring 2007

  
  
  

  
  
  

  Course Highlights

  
  
  

  
  
  12.007 Geobiology
  
  
  
  

  Spring 2007

  
  
  

  

  This is a paleographic reconstruction of the Earth 260 million years ago - a computer simulation showing where the continents were likely located at this point in history. (Image courtesy of Ron Blakey. Used with permission.)

  
  
  

  Course Description

  
  
  

  The interactive Earth system: Biology in geologic, environmental and climate change throughout Earth history. Since life began it has continually shaped and re-shaped the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the solid earth. Introduces the concept of "life as a geological agent" and examines the interaction between biology and the earth system during the roughly 4 billion years since life first appeared. Topics include the origin of the solar system and the early Earth atmosphere; the origin and evolution of life and its influence on climate up through and including the modern age and the problem of global warming; the global carbon cycle; and astrobiology.