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Biol 260T - Biogeochemisrty Fall 2000
1. Course Details BIOL 260T This is graduate level course for students in the biological and geological sciences. A comprehensive background in basic biology and chemistry as well as ecology, geology, and microbiology is necessary. If concepts discussed in class or in the reading are not clear to you or are new to you, please let the instructors know and we will provide additional reading material for you. 2. InstructorsDr.
Ruth Ann Kern
Dr.
Alice Wright 3. Course Description Biogeochemistry is the science of the chemical and biological interactions between the biotic and abiotic realms. Beginning with the geological origins of Earth and the ensuing composition of our atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, we will study, in some detail, the biogeochemistry of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We will finish the semester with an overview of the major global biogeochemical cycles and their inter-relationships. Each subject area will be presented in a series of lectures supported by assigned reading in the textbook and followed by a class discussion of current literature relevant to the subject. Readings for the discussions will be assigned by the instructor and announced one week before each discussion. Discussions will be led by teams of students. You will not be graded on leading the discussion, but your participation in the discussions overall will constitute 25% of your grade. Therefore, be sure to read the articles in advance and come to class prepared for the discussion. There will be three equal exams throughout the semester. They will cover material presented since the last semester and will be comprehensive of lecture, reading, and discussion. 4. ReadingsRequired and available at the bookstore: Schlesinger, W.H. 1997. Biogeochemistry: an analysis of global change, 2nd ed. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. USA. We will be assigning additional readings as we go along. These will be announced during class for the following week’s discussion. 5. GradesThis is a graduate level course and we expect all participants to do top-level work. However, for the record: 100 – 90% = A, 89 - 80% = B, 79 – 70 % = C, 69 – 60 % = D, less than 60% = F.
All parts of the class are weighted equally, however, you MUST complete all 4 parts to pass the class (i.e. anyone who doesn’t participate in discussion or doesn’t take one of the exams will fail, despite the total number of points accrued). 6. Students with Disabilities It is our intention to make this class accessible to all students. If you believe that you have special needs that I should be aware of to make any components of this class more accessible to you, please see me as soon as possible. While the University doesn’t have an officially published policy (yet) on participation in this class by students with disabilities, the following has been approved by Dr. Tom Ebert, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: "The Department of Biology cooperates with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities (cf. Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, Rehabilitation Act). If you have not registered with Services for Students with Disabilities, we encourage you to do so. AFTER MEETING WITH THE SSD COUNSELOR, present your written Accommodation Request to your instructor as soon as possible. If you experience any problems in getting reasonable accommodations, please contact the Biology Department Chair or SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (278-2811). 7. Other University Policies
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