2023 Earth System Science

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Instructor(s)
Ozaki Kazumi 
Class Format
Lecture    (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Tue5-6(理学院 地球惑星科学系, 石川台2号館, 318室)  Fri5-6(理学院 地球惑星科学系, 石川台2号館, 318室)  
Group
-
Course number
EPS.A338
Credits
2
Academic year
2023
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2023/3/20
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course is intended for undergraduate students who are interested in learning about Earth System Science. The course will cover the basic concept and goals of Earth System Science and the techniques used in Earth System Science. We will also explore the history of the Earth as an example of a habitable planet and will consider how the coupled evolution of Earth's environment and life can be understood in the framework of the biogeochemical cycles.

Student learning outcomes

Students will learn the following skills from taking this course:
・Be able to understand the basic concept and goals of Earth System Science
・Be able to recognize the sequence of and interrelationships between major events in the history of the Earth and life
・Be able to recognize the major techniques employed by theoretical studies of biogeochemical cycles

Keywords

Earth System Science, Biogeochemistry, Earth history, Astrobiology

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Basic understanding about Earth System Science

Class flow

Students will be required to answer a brief quiz after each class.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 What is Earth System Science? Learn the historical background and philosophy behind the Earth System Science
Class 2 Basics of system science (1): Feedback system Learn the basics of system science.
Class 3 Basics of system science (2): Dynamic equilibrium Understand the dynamic equilibrium.
Class 4 Basics of systems science (3): Daisyworld Learn the Daisyworld.
Class 5 Earth's energy budget Understand the Earth's energy flow and budget.
Class 6 Climate stability Understand the energy balance model.
Class 7 Biogeochemical cycles (1): Carbon cycling Learn the reservoir sizes and fluxes of carbon on Earth's surface environments
Class 8 Biogeochemical cycles (2): Walker feedback Understand the climate stability based on the global carbon cycle
Class 9 Biogeochemical cycles (3): Climate stability based on the carbon cycling Understand the secular evolution of the atmospheric CO2 level
Class 10 Biogeochemical cycles: Climatic variations Learn the drivers of climate.
Class 11 Biogeochemical cycles: Oxygen cycle Learn the reservoirs and fluxes of oxygen on Earth's surface environments
Class 12 Biogeochemical cycles: Stability of atmospheric O2 levels Understand the stability of atmospheric O2 levels
Class 13 Biogeochemical cycles and Earth's history Learn the relationship between biogeochemical cycles and Earth's history
Class 14 Exo-Earth System Science Learn the basic of Exo-Earth System Science
Class 15 Lecture summary Lecture summary

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.

Textbook(s)

Not specified. Lecture materials will be distributed in the class.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Not specified. Reference books will be introduced as appropriate.

Assessment criteria and methods

Grades will be based on quizzes after each class (30%) and a final exam (70%).

Related courses

  • EPS.A334 : Biogeoscience
  • EPS.A203 : Introduction to History of the Earth

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

There are no specific prerequisites for taking the course, but a basic knowledge of geochemistry and/or geology is helpful.

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