Global Biogeochemical Cycles

This course provides a forum for students in global change-related fields to study major processes affecting global fluxes of chemical species. Because of the multi-disciplinary nature of understanding global biogeochemical cycles (GBC), students will be exposed to scientific fields outside of their major.  Content will emphasize fluxes of chemical constituents between reservoirs at the Earth's surface particularly those related to biosystems, and to processes involved in chemical transfers and transformations.  Particular attention will be directed toward global perturbations.  Central threads will be the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles.  Class will meet to discuss topics and readings, with outside speakers with particular expertise in some aspect of GBC, and visits to labs around campus whose activities have important linkages to GBC studies.