Natural Science 0145 - Earth and Life through Time

Humans are recent tenants on an ancient Earth. Understanding Earth's remarkable history is enlightening yet humbling. Earth's history provides a critical lens for evaluating modern environmental science issues of our modern world. In this course, we will travel through time to study the evolution of Earth from its fiery beginning over 4.5 billion years ago to the present day. We will explore the physical and biological evolution of Earth and gain an appreciation for Earth as a series of complex systems that interact dynamically and holistically. We will also learn how geologists reconstruct Earth history as well as predict the future. Local fieldtrips will highlight billions of years of Earth history in the Connecticut River Valley. This course will be valuable for anyone who is concerned about the future of Earth and its tenants.

Physical and Biological Sciences Writing and Research Quantitative Skills