Critical Steps in the Evolution of Earth and life

The concept Earth System Science is introduced. This is followed by some critical events in the evolution of Earth and life.

Among these are theories about the origin of life, the Cambrian explosion, how life conquered the continents, and the five big mass extinctions. The course ends with climate history, how climates changed from a warm greenhouse world to the present icehouse world that began 34 million years ago.

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• Course structure

  Assessment

  is based on a written/oral assessment at the end of the course. Assessment criteria are:

  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.

• Course literature
  Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

  Web based lectures + Steven M Stanley: Earth System History, 4th Edition, W.H. Freeman, 2014. ISBN 1429255269, 9781429255264.

• Contact

  Senior lecturer, Marine micropaleontology
  Helen Coxall
  helen.coxall[at]geo.su.se
  +46 (0)8 674 78 58 | Room: R233

   

  Margret Steinthorsdottir
  Swedish Museum of Natural History affiliated with Department of Geological Sciences (IGV)
  margret.steinthorsdottir[at]nrm.se