Unit name | Evolution of the Biosphere |
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Unit code | EASC30008 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Mike Benton |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of years 1 and 2 of either the Environmental Geoscience or the Geology degree programme curriculum. |
Co-requisites |
n/a |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit provides an overview of different aspects of the history of the earth. It is an interdisciplinary unit, drawing material from palaeoceanography, geomicrobiology, stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeontology. The unit coveres long-term patterns in the evolution of oceans and atmospheres, the history of climate and environmental change on long time scales, but also through the past million years. A clear focus is given to current debates and the evidence on either side of debated issues, so students can read widely in the current literature and understand the nature of different kinds of evidence and their meaning. Clear links are made to current environmental crises.
The main aims are:
On completion, you should be able to:
Lectures
This unit will be assessed entirely by an examination (100%).
There is no single recommended text for the course. Students should refer to the following for background information on most of the topics covered: Benton, M.J. and Harper, D.A.T., (2009) Introduction to Paleobiology & the Fossil Record, Wiley-Blackwell; Briggs, D. E. G. and Crowther, P. R., (2001) Palaeobiology II, Blackwells, Oxford; Brookfield, M. E. (2004) Principles of stratigraphy, Blackwells, Oxford; Stanley, S. M. (2004) Earth system history, 2nd edition. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco.