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2024　Earth System Science

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Instructor(s)
Ozaki Kazumi  Sekine Yasuhito 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
-
Group
-
Course number
EPS.A338
Credits
2
Academic year
2024
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2024/3/14
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

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 brief quizzes in each class.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 What is Earth System Science? Historical background and basic concept of the Earth System Science
Class 2 Basics of system science (1): Feedback loop and dynamic equilibrium The basics of system science.
Class 3 Basics of systems science (2): Daisyworld Daisy world
Class 4 Climate stability Energy balance model
Class 5 Carbon cycle Global carbon cycle
Class 6 Walker feedback Climate stability and the carbon cycle
Class 7 Climatic variations Drivers of climate variations
Class 8 Stability of atmospheric O2 levels Stability of atmospheric O2 levels
Class 9 Energy flow in the Earth system Heat convection
Class 10 Residence time Box model
Class 11 Earth System Modeling I Secular evolution of the Earth system
Class 12 Earth System Modeling II Secular evolution of the Earth system
Class 13 Comparison with Earth's history I Geologic records and isotopic compositions
Class 14 Comparison with Earth's history II Geologic records and isotopic compositions

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 in classes (30%) and a final report (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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