Unit information: Geobiology in 2010/11

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Unit name Geobiology
Unit code EASC20024
Credit points 10
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
Unit director Professor. Donoghue
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
School/department School of Earth Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Geobiology is the study of the interactions that occur between the biosphere (living organisms and their products) and the geosphere (the Earth and its atmosphere). Geobiology encompasses the fields of biogeochemistry, paleobiology, geomicrobiology, and some aspects of astrobiology. The course will examine the inter-relationships between life and geochemical processes at scales ranging from individual organic molecules to global cycles between the atmosphere, oceans and land. The course will also examine critical geobiological moments in Earth history that have had a major impact on the evolution of life. The unit will conclude with an examination of the influence of humankind on the global environment.