EAPS 2 Evolution of Earth and Life
The presence of life on Earth potentially makes it unique in this solar system. The reasons that life emerged, persisted, and evolved on Earth are tied to geochemical and plate tectonic processes, such as the rock and carbon cycles, which have been active since Earth’s formation ~4.5 billion years ago. By examining how the biosphere has interacted with key geochemical, climatic, and plate tectonic processes over time, this course investigates how the evolution of life and the environment has been a synergistic process throughout Earth history that continues today. Through this course, students will consider modern-day changes to Earth’s environment and ecosystems in this context of deep time.