GEOS 380 - Great Lakes Limnology

FC NSMA QFR

4 credits
How has the regional geologic history shaped the biogeochemistry of the Great Lakes? In what ways are humans influencing, and influenced by, the Great Lakes? This class will use primary literature to investigate these questions, in the process covering the local historical and contemporary geology, physical water column dynamics, air-water fluxes, eutrophication, public health concerns, climate change, and more. Small group projects in lab will allow students to develop and quantitatively explore aquatic research questions of personal interest using publicly available buoy data, remote sensing, modeling, and class collected data from the field. Recommended preparation of GEOS 210 is strongly encouraged. Field trip(s) required.

Prerequisites: one 200-level course in GEOS (GEOL).