GEOS 110T(S) Galapagos Islands Field Geology and Biology (W)
Islands are attractive places for field studies because they represent discrete territories isolated from the rest of the world but associated with larger surrounding patterns of climate, ocean currents, and regional geology linked to plate tectonics. The scale of many islands is appropriate for a close examination of the relationship between geology and biology under conditions akin to laboratory studies in which the number of experimental variables is limited. The first half of this course is devoted to topics on the geology, tectonics, paleontology, biology, and biogeography of the Galapagos Islands in preparation for a one-week field excursion during Spring Break. Topics covered start with contributions based on original texts by Charles Darwin and James Dana on the biology and geology of islands in the Pacific basin. This provides the historical foundation for a review of geological processes, evolution, and island biogeography based on recent scientific literature. Particular attention is devoted to questions regarding the stimulation of speciation in the context of tectonically active areas. After Spring Break, sessions cover other "archipelagos" including the Hawaiian Islands, the islands in the Gulf of California, lakes of the East African rift zone and the Galapagos deep-sea rift zone. Each represents a distinct geological and tectonic domain but with related biological themes. Students are responsible for six papers. Four will be normal tutorial assignments (6-8 pages in length), but the final paper prior to Spring Break entails preparation of a guidebook assignment on the Galapagos Islands. The final course assignment is submission of a potential research topic appropriate for an independent-study or honors project in an island setting.
Format: tutorial in joint session with both instructors. Evaluation will be based on six written papers, six oral presentations, weekly participation in discussions, and a guidebook presentation during Spring Break in the Galapagos Islands.
Prerequisite: any 100-level Geosciences course. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 10). Preference given to first-year and sophomore students.
Special note: Thanks to the generosity of Joseph Lintz ('42), students will only be responsible for $500 of their travel and lodging expenses. The rest will be covered by the Freeman Foote Field Trip Fund for the Sciences.
Hour: M. JOHNSON and KARABINOS