Paleoclimatology

Catalog description

Introduction to the field of Paleoclimatology. Focus will be on the use of sediments and other biological and geological archives to reconstruct environmental, climatic, and oceanographic change over a range of time scales. Lecture will also provide an introduction to the fields of climatology, age dating techniques, climatic environmental proxies (tracers), micropaleontology, and time-series analysis. In addition to lectures, the class will involve review of current scientific studies, class presentations by each student, and a review paper on a relevant topic of choice. Three lectures each week and two hours each week of oral presentations by students. Prerequisite(s): A CHM 115 or 120 (or T CHM 130 or T CHM 135) or permission of instructor. Offered alternate fall semesters.