Geobiology and Earth History

Introduction

Low-temperature geochemistry enlists a wide range of traditional scientific disciplines (e.g. chemistry, biology, geology) to address questions involving Earth surface processes, modern climate studies, deep time, and many more.  At Harvard we have a particular interest in the study of Earth history. Often termed Geobiology, our strengths include the study of paleontology, sedimentology, and biogeochemistry, all of which requires a truly interdisciplinary approach to science.

Outlined below is a list of courses for incoming graduate students interested in Geobiology. This outline reflects a general path and should be tuned to suit a student’s particular interest. Further, the following listing of available courses is by no means exhaustive; a broad spectrum of additional relevant offerings are available in all aspects of physical, chemical and biological sciences, and mathematics that bear on the understanding of Geobiology. The suggested curriculum below is for guidelines only; current or prospective students are invited to consult with any faculty members for further advice.

Foundational Knowledge for Students New to the Field

Primarily for undergraduates

  • OEB/EPS 56 Geobiology and the History of Life (A. Knoll and D. Johnston)
  • OEB/EPS 107 Evolution of Plant Life in Geologic Time (A. Knoll)
  • EPS 182: Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
  • EPS 186 Low Temperature Geochemistry I: Introduction to biogeochemical cycles (D. Johnston)
  • EPS 187 Low Temperature Geochemistry II: Modern and ancient biogeochemical processes (A. Pearson)
  • EPS 189 Analytical and Field Methods in Geobiology (D. Johnston)

Proposed Curriculum

Fall Term

Spring Term

  • EPS 207 Geochemical Oceanography (D. Schrag)
  • EPS 286 Topics in Biogeochemistry I (D. Johnston)

Interested students may also want to view Suggested Courses in Low-Temperature Geochemistry

Faculty

Typical undergraduate backgrounds for students are listed in parenthesis.

  • Peter Huybers: Glacial cycles, climate change across space and time scales (applied math, physics) 
  • David Johnston: Isotope geochemistry and historical geobiology, re-animating ancient ecosystems and ocean chemistry using stable isotope systems, chemical speciation techniques, modern microbial experiments (for calibration) and theoretical considerations (biology, chemistry, geology/Earth sciences)
  • Andrew H. Knoll: Paleontology and sedimentary geology, astrobiology, Mars Exploration Rovers (biology, geology/Earth sciences)
  • Ann Pearson: Global organic carbon and nitrogen cycles, light stable isotope biogeochemistry, compound-specific d13C and D14C analysis of lipids and proteins, microbial metabolism in anoxic marine systems, sources of carbon to marine sediments, evolutionary history of lipid biosynthesis (biology, chemistry)
  • Daniel Schrag: Geochemical oceanography, paleoclimatology, stable isotope geochemistry (chemistry, geology/Earth sciences, physics)