Introduction to Geochemistry
(G406)
Instructor: Gabriel Filippelli
Office: SL124
274-3795 office
274-7484 message
gfilippe@iupui.edu
Class time: MW 5:45 - 7:00, SL 085
Lecture Schedule
Date Subject Chapters
M W
JAN 10 Introduction 1
12 Origins: the elements and Earth 2
17 No Class (MLK Holiday)
19 Atmospheric development 3
24 Atmospheric chemical changes
26 Carbon cycling and the atmosphere/ PS 1
31 Article discussion
FEB 2 Weathering 4
7 No Class
9 No Class
14 No Class
16 Weathering 4
21 Soil development
23 Terrestrial biosphere 5
28 Biogeochemical cycling on land/ PS 2 6
MARCH 1 Article discussion
6 MIDTERM EXAM
8 Biogeochemistry
of lakes and wetlands 7
13 No Class (Spring Break)
15 No Class (Spring Break)
20 Biogeochemistry of lakes and wetlands 7
22 Biogeochemistry of rivers and estuaries 8 27 Biogeochemistry of the oceans/ refs. due 9
29 Biogeochemistry
of the oceans/ PS 3
APRIL 3 Article discussion
5 Tectonics and climate
10 Article discussion/ outlines due
12 Hydrologic cycle 10
17 Carbon cycle 11
19 Phosphorus and Nitrogen cycle 12
24 Sulfur cycle 13
26 Student Presentations
MAY 1 Student Presentations/ Proposals due
FINAL EXAM--WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 5:45 - 7:45
TEXT: Biogeochemistry: An Analysis
of Global Change
W. H. Schlesinger, Academic Press, 1997
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Five current journal articles on various topics of biogeochemistry. All students will read the articles, and several students will abstract the important and controversial points from the articles for class discussion. Each student will do this twice.
PROBLEM SETS
Three problem sets will be assigned during the semester to increase your ability to analytically approach biogeochemical questions. A working knowledge of algebra will be required to successfully complete the problem sets.
EXAMS
A midterm and final exam will be given, both of which will be composed of short answer questions.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND PRESENTATION
Each student will develop a research proposal aimed at addressing an outstanding question in the broad field of biogeochemistry. This proposal will lay out the question, discuss why it is important, outline the specific research strategy that you will take to address all or part of the problem, discuss what difficulties might arise and how you will deal with/solve them, outline the possible outcomes and why they are significant, and construct a research budget and time-frame for the project. You will present your proposal in a 12 minute presentation in class, and turn in your proposal on the last day of class.
GRADING:
Problem sets (3) 20%
Article presentations (2) 15%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam 20%
Proposal and presentation 25%
NOTE: Group and collaborative work is encouraged in all activities of this class (except for exams), but all work must be your own. Cheating and plagiarism are two offenses that will obviously result in an F on the given assignment and/or in the class.