Courses Taught at the University of Florida
GLY 4930/6932 Astrobiology Seminar
Is there life beyond Earth? Astrobiology is a new, multidisciplinary field of science encompassing astronomy, biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genomics, chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry, paleontology, geology, and many other fields of science and technology. Astrobiology includes the study of the origin of habitable planets, origin of life, the connections between the evolution of life and of environments, the potential for life and life’s actual distribution in our solar system and beyond, and future of life on Earth and in space. Students will expand their knowledge base beyond their discipline while considering such issues as the origins of stars and planets, environmental conditions of the prebiotic Earth, the origin of life on Earth, the nature of the universal “tree of life”, the establishment of evolutionary patterns and rates, the causes of global glaciations and their use as analogues for life on planets or moons such as Europa, how life survives in extreme environments on Earth, what determines planetary habitability, how planets in other solar systems are detected, and how we might detect life on other planets.
GLY 4930/6932 Survey of Geobiology
This course introduces the 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 explores the concept of life as a geological agent and examines the interaction between biology and the earth system during the roughly 4 billion years since life first appeared. Prerequisites: Physical Geology or permission of the instructor.
GLY 3105C Evolution of Life in North America
Advanced examination of the geologic history of planet earth with an emphasis on North America. Students will (1) Identify and explain the physical and biological history of planet Earth based on the broad survey we will complete during the semester. (2) Explain the role of plate tectonics on the development of the landscape, the evolution of life, and climate dynamics. (3) Present in some detail the geologic record of North America while still examining major events of other continents and their relationship (if any) to those of North America. (4) Discuss development of the modern geologic landscape of North America. Prerequisites: Physical Geology or Introduction to Environmental and Engineering Geology.
Courses Taught at Towson University
GEOL 121 Physical Geology (4) Fall and Spring
Composition and structure of the earth, the internal and external forces acting upon it, and the surface features resulting. Laboratory studies of common rocks and minerals, geologic and topographic maps, and aerial photographs. Field trips required. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Not open to students who successfully completed PHSC 121. Gen Ed II.A or Core: Biological & Physical Sciences. Lab/Class fee will be assessed.
GEOL 410 Methods for Environmental Geochemistry (4) Spring Even Years
Students will develop an understanding of fate, transport and cycling of geochemically important elements in the environment including natural and anthropogenic sources and their physical and chemical modes of transport in near surface environments. Students will learn basic geochemical and analytical methods applicable to investigations in soils and surface waters. Prerequisites: GEOL 121, CHEM 131, CHEM 132 or permission of the instructor. Lab/Class fee will be assessed.
GEOL 470 Survey of Geobiology (3) Fall 2018 only
This course introduces the 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 explores the concept of life as a geological agent and examines the interaction between biology and the earth system during the roughly 4 billion years since life first appeared. Prerequisites: GEOL 121 or 122 or permission of the instructor.
ENVS 601 Topics in Environmental Geology (4) Fall Odd Years
Geological concepts related to developed and developing areas; topics include earth materials, soils and soil formation, hydrological cycle, waste management; water management; geological issues in land-use decision making. Some field work might require weekend obligations. Prerequisite: Admission into the graduate program in Environmental Science or consent of the instructor. Lab/Class fee will be assessed.