UNIVERSITY
OF GUAM
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Number: BI550 College (or sponsoring unit): CAS
Course Title: Biogeochemistry Credit Hours: 3
Date of Final Approval ____ Semester Offered: Spring Even
Course counts as: ___ general education requirement
- part
of__________ major
X elective
1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION. Biogeochemistry is the study of the chemical
elements important to life, their interaction, and cycling within the biosphere.
Mathematical models of biogeochemical fluxes along the land-ocean continuum and
within terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems are discussed. Emphasis is
placed on the evolution of classical paradigms and modifications of them, as
they appear m the current literature. Three hours of lecture/held trips weekly.
Prerequisite: A background in upper level undergraduate chemistry, ecology, and
mathematics is suggested. Consent of instructor required.
2. COURSE CONTENT. (1) Introduction to geochemistry: chemical reactions,
kinetics, and consequences. (2) The earth as a closed chemical system. (3) The
Atmosphere. (4) The Lithosphere. (4) The Hydrosphere. (5) The Terrestrial Biosphere.
(6) Freshwaters. (5) Brackish Waters. (8) Seawaters. (9) Biogeochemical cycles
(10) Biogeochemistry of Minor Elements. (11) Global Change: Precambrian~, the
effects of 02, recent phenomena.
3. RATIONALE FOR THE COURSE. Biogeochemistry is a modem multidisciplinary approach
to the study of geochemistry, ecology, and evolution. It integrates the fundamentals
of these disciplines into a holistic inspection of life on Earth. In a
practical way, Biogeochemistry makes sense of abstract concepts such as
nutrient cycling and ecological symbioses.
4. SKILLS AN]) BACKGROUNI) REQUIRED OR EXPECTED. This is a course for graduate
students who are interested in ecology, environmental studies and management.
Students are expected to have a grasp of chemical reactions, kinetics, the
calculus, and modem ecological thought. Undergraduate background in ecology, chemistry,
and biochemistry would be helpful. (All M.S. Biology candidates are required to
have taken the calculus).
5. TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND ANTICIPATED CLASS SIZE.
Two lectures per week, and two
three-hour field trips per semester. Background material from the text is supplemented
by the current literature. Lectures are designed so as to promote in-class discussion
of a topic by 5-10 students.
6. ADDITIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTORS
None
7. LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS. The students will demonstrate an
understanding of biological systems from a perspective that integrates the major
driving forces of the planet, i.e., wind and water, geochemical equilibrium
among the four spheres, biological effects on those equilibria, and the rules
of constant change. It is expected that students will gain an appreciation of
stochastic interactions, fractals, thermodynamics, and chemistry as it affects
"fish m the sea and why we need the "greenhouse effect. Experience
using and developing simple mathematical models will help the students
appreciate important vs. secondary phenomena. This information will hopefully
be integrated into a broader perspective of their research in marine biology
and environmental science.
8. METHODS OF EVALUATION. May include quizzes, participation in discussion, and
presentation of one recent paper from the current literature, a term paper, and
two take-home essay exams.
9. REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXIT S AND/OR STUDY GUIDES
Required Text
Schlesinger, W.R 1991. Biogeochemist,y: An Analysis of Global Change.
Academic Press ( or latest edition)
Suggested background reading for those who need it.
May, B.. M. Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems. Most recent edition. Princeton University Press
Pianka, E.R. 1988. Evolutionary Ecology. 4th Ed. Harper & Row.
Hochachka, P.W. and G.N. Somero. Strategies of BiochemicalAdaptation. Most recent edition. W.B. Saunders.
Any environmental microbiology, soils microbiology, or microbial ecology text
10. SUBSEQUENT COURSES. None