Skip over navigation

Course Offerings

Course Details

Spring 2010-2011
* GEO 364 / CHM 364  

Earth Chemistry: The Major Realms of the Planet

Michael L. Bender
Daniel M. Sigman

The chemical composition of the major realms of the planet: core, mantle, continents, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere. Topics include the synthesis of the chemical elements in stars, the origin of the solar system and Earth, and the chemical differentiation of Earth's core, mantle, crust, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere. Also explores the global cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and other biologically important elements, their interactions with the geosphere, and their evolution through time.

Sample reading list:
C. H. Langmuir and W. S. Broecker, How to Build a Habitable Planet, 2nd Edition
L. R. Kump, J. F. Kasting, R. G. Crane, The Earth System, 3rd Edition

Reading/Writing assignments:
There will be weekly problem sets involving calculations dealing with fundamental Earth properties and with visualizing chemical and isotopic properties as reflected in large data sets. There will be one term paper.

Requirements/Grading:
Mid Term Exam - 20%
Final Exam - 40%
Term Paper(s) - 10%
Problem set(s) - 30%

Prerequisites and Restrictions:
CHM 201, or equivalent; MAT 103, or equivalent..

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
42374 L01 10:00 am - 10:50 am M W F   Guyot Hall   155   Enrolled:10 Limit:20