The course explores the many processes which cycle and fractionate carbon isotopes. This course also addresses the methods used to reconstruct carbon isotope distributions in ancient environments for the purpose of evaluating past changes in the global carbon cycle. Students are assigned several projects including a graphic correlation project which requires the collection, processing, and integration of various stratigraphic data.
Emphasis is on topics dealing with the oceans role in global climate change.
Once a week, three students give 15 to 20 minute presentations on their current or anticipated research activities. The seminar is intended to increase awareness of the broad scope of research in the Earth Sciences. Students learn about the natural abundances of stable isotopes on the earth's surface as well as about the processes responsible for isotope fractionation. They also study how isotopes are used to understand processes in chemistry, biology, and geology. Students are assigned weekly problem sets.