Advanced Seminar in Geology and Geochemistry: Organic Geochemistry

Calendar

LEC #	TOPICS	KEY DATES
1	Introductory Remarks; Course Structure and Content Seminar Consisting of Three Talks for the International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry (IMOG)
2	Acetogenic Lipids and their Fossil Counterparts; Chain-length, Branching Systematics and Isotopic Compositions - Indicators of Biological Sources; Algeanans; Functional Roles; Branched Alkanes with Quaternary Carbon Centers (BAQCs); Geological Patterns of Occurrence
3	Seminar on Biomarkers and Earth’s Redox History
4	Isoprenoid Lipids; Biosynthesis; Isomerism and other Structural Aspects; Archaeal and Non-archaeal Sources; Structure vs. Physiology; Bicyclic and Tricyclic Isoprenoids; other Cyclised Polyprenoids; Geological Record	First term paper issued
5	Seminar on Acyclic Isoprenoids
6	Analytical Techniques for Biomarker Analysis
7	Continued Lecture on Analytical Techniques
8	Steroids; Biosynthetic Issues; Formation by Bacteria and Eukaryotes; Role of Oxygen Sterol to Sterane Diagenesis; Biomarkers for Source and Maturity in Fossil Organic Molecules (OM); Age-related Changes in Occurrence and Paleoenvironmental Indicators
9	Seminar on Steroids
10	Continuing Lecture on Steroids
11	Seminar on Isotopic and Molecular Indicators for a Biogenic Origin of Organic Matter	Second term paper issued
12	Mono-, Sesqui-, di- and Triterpenoids 1; Biosynthetic Issues; Bacteria and Eukaryotes; Bacteriohopanepolyols (BHP); Analytical Issues; Phylogeny and Physiology vs. Structure; BHP to Hopane Diagenesis; Biomarkers for Source, Maturity of OM
13	Seminar on Triterpenoids
14	Diterpenoids and Triterpenoids 2; Plant-derived Terpenoids; Biomarkers for an Evolving Ocean Plankton Biomarkers Diagnostic of Geological Age	First term paper due
15	Pigment-derived Biomarkers; Porphyrins and Carotenoids
16	Seminar on the Permian-Triassic Boundary Extinction
17	Seminar on Pigment-derived Biomarkers
18	Diagenesis and Catagenesis; OM Preservation; Kerogen Formation Role of Reduced Sulfur
19	Petroleum Formation, Occurrence and Characterization
20	Seminar on Neoproterozoic Glaciations
21	Seminar on Atmospheric Oxygen Evolution, Paleo-ocean Chemistry, and Biomarkers
22	Kerogen; Experimental Approaches to Classification and Structural Analysis; Rock Eval; Pyrolysis and Chemical Degradation	Second term paper due