Course description
The History of Ancient Environments, Climate, and Life
Students explore the co-evolution of Earth's environment and life from ~2 billion years ago to 500 million years ago by examining rocks from several field location around the world. This course is designed to give students an introductory understanding of Earth history and geology through a series of lectures, virtual field trips, and interviews with experienced geologists. Virtual field sites include the early-mid Proterozoic of Minnesota, and the Neoproterozoic and early Phanerozoic of Svalbard (Norway) and the Death Valley region (eastern California).
Upcoming start dates
1 start date available
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites
None
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
- Describe key aspects of the rock and fossil record over Earth’s early history
- Look at a sedimentary rock and describe key features
- Use those observations to make inferences about the depositional environment
- Understand how geology from the field can aid understanding of Earth’s history
Course delivery details
This course is offered through Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a partner institute of EdX.
3-4 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$99
- Audit Track - Free
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