[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2001/2002

Earth System Science
E&ES 333 SP

The aim of this course is to explain how the broad global system operates, in the context of life. We will study the interactions of biota, climate, oceans and rocks in the present-day world, and over the Earth's long history. We will also consider how the system may change over the coming centuries as a result of human influence.

Topics to be dealt with include: The role of life in the Precambrian world, mass extinctions, biotic interactions in ice ages, the Gaia Hypothesis, the role of the biota in the geological and contemporary carbon cycle, biological effects on ocean, atmospheric and rock chemistry, the greenhouse effect in relation to biological processes, biological acceleration of rock weathering, vegetation-climate feedbacks, role o f fire, effects of El Nino and NAO on the biosphere, and desertification and salinization.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Adams,Jonathan M.   

Times: .M.W.F. 11:00AM-11:50AM;     Location: SCIE309

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: UNL)

SR. major:    Jr. major:

SR. non-major:    Jr. non-major:    SO:    FR:

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Quantitative Reasoning

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459