printer friendly pageEARTHSYS 122: Evolution of Marine Ecosystems (BIO 119, GEOLSCI 123, GEOLSCI 223B)
Life originally evolved in the ocean. When, why, and how did the major transitions occur in the history of marine life? What triggered the rapid evolution and diversification of animals in the Cambrian, after more than 3.5 billion years of Earth's history? What caused Earth's major mass extinction events? How do ancient extinction events compare to current threats to marine ecosystems? How has the evolution of primary producers impacted animals, and how has animal evolution impacted primary producers? In this course, we will review the latest evidence regarding these major questions in the history of marine ecosystems. We will develop familiarity with the most common groups of marine animal fossils. We will also conduct original analyses of paleontological data, developing skills both in the framing and testing of scientific hypotheses and in data analysis and presentation.
Last offered: Autumn 2017
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
EARTHSYS 124: Measurements in Earth Systems (ESS 212)
A classroom, laboratory, and field class designed to provide students familiarity with techniques and instrumentation used to track biological, chemical, and physical processes operating in earth systems, encompassing upland, aquatic, estuarine, and marine environments. Topics include gas and water flux measurement, nutrient and isotopic analysis, soil and water chemistry determination. Students will develop and test hypotheses, provide scientific evidence and analysis, culminating in a final presentation.
Last offered: Winter 2020
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
EARTHSYS 128: Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems (BIO 148, BIO 228, GEOLSCI 128, GEOLSCI 228)
The what, when, where, and how do we know it regarding life on land through time. Fossil plants, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates (yes, dinosaurs) are all covered, including how all of those components interact with each other and with changing climates, continental drift, atmospheric composition, and environmental perturbations like glaciation and mass extinction. The course involves both lecture and lab components. Graduate students registering at the 200-level are expected to write a term paper, but can opt out of some labs where appropriate.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Boyce, C. (PI)
;
D'Antonio, M. (TA)
EARTHSYS 143: Molecular Geomicrobiology Laboratory (BIO 142, ESS 143, ESS 243)
In this course, students will be studying the biosynthesis of cyclic lipid biomarkers, molecules that are produced by modern microbes that can be preserved in rocks that are over a billion years old and which geologist use as molecular fossils. Students will be tasked with identifying potential biomarker lipid synthesis genes in environmental genomic databases, expressing those genes in a model bacterial expression system in the lab, and then analyzing the lipid products that are produced. The overall goal is for students to experience the scientific research process including generating hypotheses, testing these hypotheses in laboratory experiments, and communicating their results through a publication style paper. Prerequisites: BIO83 and
CHEM 121 or permission of the instructor.
Last offered: Spring 2020
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
EARTHSYS 151: Biological Oceanography (EARTHSYS 251, ESS 151, ESS 251)
Required for Earth Systems students in the oceans track. Interdisciplinary look at how oceanic environments control the form and function of marine life. Topics include distributions of planktonic production and abundance, nutrient cycling, the role of ocean biology in the climate system, expected effects of climate changes on ocean biology. Local weekend field trips. Designed to be taken concurrently with Marine Chemistry (ESS/
EARTHSYS 152/252). Prerequisites:
BIO 43 and
ESS 8 or equivalent.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Arrigo, K. (PI)
;
Payne, C. (TA)
EARTHSYS 152: Marine Chemistry (EARTHSYS 252, ESS 152, ESS 252)
Introduction to the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate problems in marine chemistry and related disciplines. Physical, chemical, and biological processes that determine the chemical composition of seawater. Air-sea gas exchange, carbonate chemistry, and chemical equilibria, nutrient and trace element cycling, particle reactivity, sediment chemistry, and diagenesis. Examination of chemical tracers of mixing and circulation and feedbacks of ocean processes on atmospheric chemistry and climate. Designed to be taken concurrently with Biological Oceanography (ESS/
EARTHSYS 151/251)
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Casciotti, K. (PI)
;
Travis, N. (TA)
EARTHSYS 155: Science of Soils (ESS 155)
Physical, chemical, and biological processes within soil systems. Emphasis is on factors governing nutrient availability, plant growth and production, land-resource management, and pollution within soils. How to classify soils and assess nutrient cycling and contaminant fate. Recommended: introductory chemistry and biology.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, GER: DB-NatSci
Instructors:
Fendorf, S. (PI)
;
Duncan, A. (TA)
;
Lacroix, E. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Fendorf, S. (PI)
;
Duncan, A. (TA)
;
Lacroix, E. (TA)
;
Paulus, L. (TA)
;
Wang, T. (TA)
EARTHSYS 158: Geomicrobiology (EARTHSYS 258, ESS 158, ESS 258)
How microorganisms shape the geochemistry of the Earth's crust including oceans, lakes, estuaries, subsurface environments, sediments, soils, mineral deposits, and rocks. Topics include mineral formation and dissolution; biogeochemical cycling of elements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and metals); geochemical and mineralogical controls on microbial activity, diversity, and evolution; life in extreme environments; and the application of new techniques to geomicrobial systems. Recommended: introductory chemistry and microbiology such as
CEE 274A.
Last offered: Winter 2019
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
EARTHSYS 180: Principles and Practices of Sustainable Agriculture (ESS 280)
Field-based training in ecologically sound agricultural practices at the Stanford Community Farm. Weekly lessons, field work, and group projects. Field trips to educational farms in the area. Topics include: soils, composting, irrigation techniques, IPM, basic plant anatomy and physiology, weeds, greenhouse management, and marketing. Application required. Deadline: September 10 for Autumn and March 10 for Spring. nnApplication:
https://stanforduniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_244JnBoEP7zs8Dz
Last offered: Spring 2020
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
| Repeatable
3 times
(up to 12 units total)
EARTHSYS 183: Adaptation (ESS 185)
Adaptation is the process by which organisms or societies become better suited to their environments. In this class, we will explore three distinct but related notions of adaptation. Biological adaptations arise through natural selection, while cultural adaptations arise from a variety of processes, some of which closely resemble natural selection. A newer notion of adaptation has emerged in the context of climate change where adaptation takes on a highly instrumental, and often planned, quality as a response to the negative impacts of environmental change. We will discuss each of these ideas, using their commonalities and subtle differences to develop a broader understanding of the dynamic interplay between people and their environments. Topics covered will include, among others: evolution, natural selection, levels of selection, formal models of cultural evolution, replicator dynamics, resilience, rationality and its limits, complexity, adaptive management.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
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