Geobiology
As taught in: Spring 2009
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.)
Instructors:
Prof. Roger Summons
Prof. Tanja Bosak
MIT Course Number:
12.007
Level:
Undergraduate
Course Features
Course Description
This course introduces parallel evolution of life and the environment. Life processes are influenced by chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the solid earth. In turn, life can influence chemical and physical processes on our planet. This course introduces the concept of life as a geological agent and examines the interaction between biology and the earth system during the roughly four billion years since life first appeared.
