Brief Introduction
A survey Earth's early history of life and environments through a combination of classroom lecture and virtual field trips to Northern Minnesota, Svalbard, Norway, and the Death Valley area. At these key sites, students explore the interactions between Earth's early environments and ancient life.
Description
Students explore the co-evolution of Earth's environment and life from ~2 billion years ago to 500 million years ago by examining rocks from several field location around the world. This course is designed to give students an introductory understanding of Earth history and geology through a series of lectures, virtual field trips, and interviews with experienced geologists. Virtual field sites include the early-mid Proterozoic of Minnesota, and the Neoproterozoic and early Phanerozoic of Svalbard (Norway) and the Death Valley region (eastern California).
Knowledge
- Describe key aspects of the rock and fossil record over Earth’s early history
- Look at a sedimentary rock and describe key features
- Use those observations to make inferences about the depositional environment
- Understand how geology from the field can aid understanding of Earth’s history
Big History: Connecting Knowledge
- 4.8
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We currently face unprecedented challenges on a global scale. These problems do not neatly fall into disciplines. They are complicated, complex, and connected....
The History of Ancient Environments, Climate, and Life
- 0.0
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A survey Earth's early history of life and environments through a combination of classroom lecture and virtual field trips to Northern Minnesota, Svalbard, Norway, and the Death Valley area....
International Organizations Management
- 4.8
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With a focus on cross-sector partnerships in a changing world, the course offers you insights into the inner workings of international organizations and the challenges they face today....
Biosphere 2 Science for the Future of Our Planet
- 4.8
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Are you ready to take an incredible journey around Planet Earth and beyond? Biosphere 2, an Icon of Possibilities Welcome to the Course...
