Paleoceanography and marine geology

The course addresses the history and workings of the ocean-climate system in the geologic past to today with regard to geology, circulation, chemistry, biology and patterns of marine sedimentation.

Illustration by Robyn O'Regan.


Topics: Marine sediments, their correlation and time scales; the basics of the modern climate system including ocean and atmosphere circulation, the hydrosphere, cryosphere and biogeogeochemical cycles; physical, chemical and biological proxy tools; trends and events in the evolution of the ocean- and atmosphere systems over the past 150 million years.

Please note there will not be a field excursion associated with this course.

Excursion

There will not be a field excursion this year.

Assessment

Knowledge assessment and examination will be in the form of a written examination, completion of set exercises and written/oral assessment of a final project.

Grading will be as follows:

  • A = Excellent
  • B = Very good
  • C = Good
  • D = Satisfactory
  • E = Sufficient
  • Fx = Insufficient
  • F = Entirely insufficient

The assessment criteria will be outlined at the start of the course. To pass the course, a minimum grade E is necessary.

The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.

*If the PDF file is not accessible for you to read, kindly contact studies@geo.su.se

Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.

Course evaluations allow the possibility to affect and take responsibility for your own learning and gives important information for our work with pedagogical development.

It's important that all students complete the course evaluations after each course, it gives the Department the opportunity to improve the courses' quality.

The course evaluation is composed of a number of questions and specific questions for each course. If you, as a student, want to contribute with more course specific questions you may send them to studies@geo.su.se.

If you haven't received the course evaluation for your finished course, or if you have other questions regarding course evaluations at IGV please contact studies@geo.su.se.

Course evaluation = student's review of the course
Course report = course leader's reflections about the review

*If the PDF files are not accessible for you to read, kindly contact studies@geo.su.se

Helen Coxall is professor of marine micropaleontology. Helen teaches two courses at the undergraduate level: Critical Steps in the Evolution of Earth and life and Paleoceanography and marine geology.

I specializing in marine geology once I discovered that the deep sea contains the best and most continuous records (mud layers) for unravelling climate change patterns in the past, and even how organisms evolve or go extinct to in response to climate and ocean change.

Earth is our home. There is no second planet we can escape to if life on Earth becomes too difficult. Earth may seem vast and robust but what you learn from studying it’s geological history is that its various ocean, ice, climate and biological systems, upon which we depend for food, jobs and safe stable places to live, is fragile."

Read the article

Photo: Eva Dalin

Student counsellor
elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se

Course leader
Helen Coxall (Professor of Marine micropaleontology)
helen.coxall@geo.su.se
08-674 78 58

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