Coral reefs worldwide face mounting ecological pressures from climate warming, increased incidence of coral diseases, dredging, pollution, overfishing, and increased destruction caused by boat anchors, boat groundings, and mauling by divers. Evaluating the present and long-term effects of these factors depends on an understanding of the complex dynamics of reef systems. This tutorial will investigate the geology, sedimentology, biogeochemistry, and ecology of coral reefs, both modern and ancient. The course will be linked to a 2003 winter study course during which we will map a modern fringing reef complex on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Participation in the winter study excursion is not required of tutorial enrollees, but the tutorial is a prerequisite for the winter study course.
Format: tutorial. Evaluation will be based on six 3000-word (about 6 pages) papers, discussion, and critical analysis. There will be a strong focus on polished writing and argument, and papers will be thoroughly edited for style, grammar, and syntax. Students will improve their writing by integrating into successive papers the editorial comments they receive and also by editing the writing of their tutorial partners. Prerequisites: one Geosciences course or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected: 12). Preference given to sophomores. This course satisfies "The Natural World" requirement for the Environmental Studies concentration. This course is part of the Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills initiative.