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Biogeochemical Cycles

Language

English

Course format On-site
Date 2021-03-22 - 2021-06-06
Entry level Bachelor
Cost 35000 SEK

The course deals with the Earth's climate system seen from a historical perspective and in a changing time linked to human influence. The course covers the biogeochemical cycles of the state of the elements in the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, the pedosphere and the lithosphere. The course therefore has a strong interdisciplinary approach.

The course will take an interdisciplinary approach to more specifically address the following topics:

Earth's history: the evolution of the oceans, atmosphere and life. The structure and composition of the lithosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biota.

Models that describe flow and circulation, residence times, etc. The main features of the global cycles of water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and trace elements. Cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in the Baltic Sea. A key theme is the human impact on cycles and the implications of this.

The course is designed primarily for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in meteorology, geology, biology, chemistry, ecology and oceanography. The course will be taught in English.

Those who follow the whole course and complete a project with a seminar and report and pass the exam receive 15 credits (MO7014). There is a possibility to opt out of the project. Those who do are still required to pass the final exam to receive 7.5 credits (MO7013).

The courses is given in collaboration with the Bolin Center for Climate Research and the Climate Research School of Stockholm University (http://www.bolin.su.se). The lectures will be given by scientists from several institutions at SU.

Prerequisites

Knowledge corresponding to a Bachelor's degree in Meteorology, Geological sciences, Geology, Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics or Biology-Earth science. English B/English 6 or equivalent. Information about entry requirements on universityadmissions.se

Learning outcomes

After attending the course the student should be able to:

  • account for the role of the lithosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biota in the climate system
  • apply fundamental physical, chemical, geological, and biological concepts to describe the global cycles of water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and trace elements
  • account for possible feedback mechanisms in global and regional biogeochemical cycles
  • account for and scientifically evaluate hypotheses concerning biogeochemical cycles and related feedback mechanisms in the climate system

Files/Documents

ISCED Categories

Ocean Literacy
Biology
Ecology
Physical and chemical oceanography