Course overview: Climate and the pattern of life on Earth has changed continuously for millions of years resulting in the landscapes we know today. These records of past environmental changes have been assembled from a variety of paleoenivronmental indicators. This course focuses on the methods used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction, how Earth's climate has varied over a range of different timescales, how the biota, especially vegetation, has varied in concert with climate, and the theories that have emerged to explain those variations. Emphasis will be placed on data synthesis and use of models to help understand the mechanisms underlying change in natural systems. Prerequisites: Geog. 321 (Climatology); Geog. 322 (Geomorphology) or 323 (Biogeography) Format and grading: Lectures, a mid-term and final exam, and an annotated bibliography focusing on a particular method, theme, region, or timescale involved in environmental change research. The exams will be given with open notebook. Both exams and the annotated bibliography must be completed to receive a passing grade. Accommodation for course-material access may be arranged--please see me a soon as possible. [Course Page] [Lectures] [Current Weather & Climate] [UO Geography] [UO Home] Last update: 12/26/2007 Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Eugene OR, 97403-1251 Course web pages originally developed by Pat Bartlein. Contact: dgavin@uoregon.edu  |
