Courses taught at Colgate University
GEOL215 - Paleontology of Marine Life
Considers the fossil record of marine life from its origin to the present, emphasizing the evolution of invertebrate animals and marine environments through time. In class, lab, and in the field, students investigate a diversity of ecological and evolutionary questions through direct observation of fossil specimens, statistical analyses of paleontological datasets, and discussion of recently published scientific articles. Additional topics include mass extinctions and recoveries, morphological evolution, phylogenetics, paleoecology, paleontological approaches in conservation biology, and the history and ethics of fossil collecting.
GEOL102 - Sustainable Earth
Focuses on Earth and its complex and life-sustaining resources, within an integrated framework including the terrestrial realm, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere (freshwater, oceans, and glacial ice). Students develop a deeper understanding of the physical, chemical, biological and human interactions that determine the past, present and future states of Earth. Places a strong emphasis on the societal impacts of earth system science and provides a fundamental basis for understanding the world in which we seek to live sustainably.
CORE192 - The Anthropocene
This Scientific Perspectives CORE course explores the scientific evidence for the Anthropocene, a new interval in the history of our planet in which the activities of our species have transformed Earth systems in ways that will leave an indelible signature in the geologic record. Such changes in Earth’s environments profoundly shape our lives, influencing where we live, the food we eat, the work we do, and how we see ourselves and others. In this course, students will consider how Earth systems operate both with and without us and will learn about the process of science by critically reading the scientific literature, by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data, by communicating scientific research to different audiences, and by considering the social context in which science is done.
GEOL315 - Conservation Paleobiology
This is a course about how fossils and other types of historical data (e.g., isotopes, photographs) are used to address contemporary conservation questions and concerns. Together we investigate the ecological and evolutionary responses of species to changing environments in the geologic past and explore how this information is used to identify species at elevated risk of extinction today. We also consider how the “recent” dead (i.e., fossil records that span past decades and centuries) are used to assess the impacts of anthropogenic environmental change. Throughout the semester, we learn how to “put the dead to work” by engaging in the processes of research; by collecting and quantitatively analyzing data; reading, presenting, and discussing recently published scientific articles; and by participating in a capstone project where students reconstruct changing environmental conditions in a region that is significant to them personally.
Courses taught previously at Franklin & Marshall College
ENE/BIO257 Conservation Paleobiology
This course is an investigation into how we can “put the dead to work” to better understand the potential responses of species to current and future environmental change. Together we examine the ecological and evolutionary responses of species to changing environments in the past as preserved in fossil, archaeological, and historical records. We then investigate how these records can be used to (1) establish biodiversity baselines and (2) to identify species that are likely to be more or less vulnerable to extinction under particular environmental conditions. Because all of these records are incomplete, we consider ways to address incomplete and/or biased sampling in paleontological and historical analysis. Topics considered include (but are not limited to): shifting baselines, mass extinctions, legacy sediments, isotopes, the Anthropocene, rewilding, environmental proxies, and extinction risk. Laboratories focus on the principles of paleontology, historical ecology, and conservation biology, and include fieldtrips.
ENE221 History of the Earth
This course is an investigation into the history of our planet, from its origin 4.6 billion years ago to the present-day. The Earth has supported life for much of its history, and the co-evolution of Earth and life will be a primary theme of the course. In the first part of the semester we focus on the principles and approaches that geoscientists use to reconstruct Earth’s dynamic past. In the second part of the semester we build a narrative of Earth’s history, tracing the connections between Earth’s systems, investigating how they have changed in the geologic past, and exploring how they may change in the future. Laboratories focus on the principles of historical geology and paleontology and will include several fieldtrips.
ENE118 Introduction to Oceanography
An investigation of the Earth with emphases on: (1) the world’s oceans and our interactions with them; (2) the origin of ocean basins and seawater; (3) origin of submarine topographic features and sediments; (4) seafloor spreading and plate tectonics; (5) origin, distribution and influence of ocean currents; (6) coastal processes and coastlines; (7) marine ecosystems; and (8) biological, energy and mineral resources of the oceans.
ENE114 Earth, Environment, and Humanity
An investigation of the Earth with emphases on: (1) the opportunities available to, and the constraints upon, humankind arising from the properties of the Earth, and (2) on the effects of human activities on the natural environment. The structure and character of the Earth; natural hazards; the role of humans in changing the face of the Earth; surface and ground water use and management; the generation and degradation of soils; energy resources; human wastes. Laboratories will examine the principles behind geologic environmental problems and local, national, and global environmental issues, and will include several fieldtrips.
GEOL215 - Paleontology of Marine Life
Considers the fossil record of marine life from its origin to the present, emphasizing the evolution of invertebrate animals and marine environments through time. In class, lab, and in the field, students investigate a diversity of ecological and evolutionary questions through direct observation of fossil specimens, statistical analyses of paleontological datasets, and discussion of recently published scientific articles. Additional topics include mass extinctions and recoveries, morphological evolution, phylogenetics, paleoecology, paleontological approaches in conservation biology, and the history and ethics of fossil collecting.
GEOL102 - Sustainable Earth
Focuses on Earth and its complex and life-sustaining resources, within an integrated framework including the terrestrial realm, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere (freshwater, oceans, and glacial ice). Students develop a deeper understanding of the physical, chemical, biological and human interactions that determine the past, present and future states of Earth. Places a strong emphasis on the societal impacts of earth system science and provides a fundamental basis for understanding the world in which we seek to live sustainably.
CORE192 - The Anthropocene
This Scientific Perspectives CORE course explores the scientific evidence for the Anthropocene, a new interval in the history of our planet in which the activities of our species have transformed Earth systems in ways that will leave an indelible signature in the geologic record. Such changes in Earth’s environments profoundly shape our lives, influencing where we live, the food we eat, the work we do, and how we see ourselves and others. In this course, students will consider how Earth systems operate both with and without us and will learn about the process of science by critically reading the scientific literature, by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data, by communicating scientific research to different audiences, and by considering the social context in which science is done.
GEOL315 - Conservation Paleobiology
This is a course about how fossils and other types of historical data (e.g., isotopes, photographs) are used to address contemporary conservation questions and concerns. Together we investigate the ecological and evolutionary responses of species to changing environments in the geologic past and explore how this information is used to identify species at elevated risk of extinction today. We also consider how the “recent” dead (i.e., fossil records that span past decades and centuries) are used to assess the impacts of anthropogenic environmental change. Throughout the semester, we learn how to “put the dead to work” by engaging in the processes of research; by collecting and quantitatively analyzing data; reading, presenting, and discussing recently published scientific articles; and by participating in a capstone project where students reconstruct changing environmental conditions in a region that is significant to them personally.
Courses taught previously at Franklin & Marshall College
ENE/BIO257 Conservation Paleobiology
This course is an investigation into how we can “put the dead to work” to better understand the potential responses of species to current and future environmental change. Together we examine the ecological and evolutionary responses of species to changing environments in the past as preserved in fossil, archaeological, and historical records. We then investigate how these records can be used to (1) establish biodiversity baselines and (2) to identify species that are likely to be more or less vulnerable to extinction under particular environmental conditions. Because all of these records are incomplete, we consider ways to address incomplete and/or biased sampling in paleontological and historical analysis. Topics considered include (but are not limited to): shifting baselines, mass extinctions, legacy sediments, isotopes, the Anthropocene, rewilding, environmental proxies, and extinction risk. Laboratories focus on the principles of paleontology, historical ecology, and conservation biology, and include fieldtrips.
ENE221 History of the Earth
This course is an investigation into the history of our planet, from its origin 4.6 billion years ago to the present-day. The Earth has supported life for much of its history, and the co-evolution of Earth and life will be a primary theme of the course. In the first part of the semester we focus on the principles and approaches that geoscientists use to reconstruct Earth’s dynamic past. In the second part of the semester we build a narrative of Earth’s history, tracing the connections between Earth’s systems, investigating how they have changed in the geologic past, and exploring how they may change in the future. Laboratories focus on the principles of historical geology and paleontology and will include several fieldtrips.
ENE118 Introduction to Oceanography
An investigation of the Earth with emphases on: (1) the world’s oceans and our interactions with them; (2) the origin of ocean basins and seawater; (3) origin of submarine topographic features and sediments; (4) seafloor spreading and plate tectonics; (5) origin, distribution and influence of ocean currents; (6) coastal processes and coastlines; (7) marine ecosystems; and (8) biological, energy and mineral resources of the oceans.
ENE114 Earth, Environment, and Humanity
An investigation of the Earth with emphases on: (1) the opportunities available to, and the constraints upon, humankind arising from the properties of the Earth, and (2) on the effects of human activities on the natural environment. The structure and character of the Earth; natural hazards; the role of humans in changing the face of the Earth; surface and ground water use and management; the generation and degradation of soils; energy resources; human wastes. Laboratories will examine the principles behind geologic environmental problems and local, national, and global environmental issues, and will include several fieldtrips.
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