Biogeochemistry at NC State

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Teaching

I currently teach the following courses at NC State University:

MEA323 - Earth System Chemistry (spring semester)

  • This is an "introduction to biogeochemistry" course at the sophomore/junior level, with students from several different majors: Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, Chemistry, Fisheries & Wildlife, Environmental Science, and Environmental Engineering.  The diversity of this class is one of its strengths.  In this course, I pick up where MEA 200 left off and get in to the nitty-gritty of chemical reactions in the Earth system.  Here, we focus on chemical reaction systems (acid-base, redox) as a way to understand how global biogeochemcial cycles operate via material transport (e.g., weathering, hydrologic cycle) and organic matter formation (e.g., photosynthesis) and destruction (e.g. respiration, diagenesis).  This is done within the broad concept of Earth as a homeostatic system. 

MEA461 - Undergraduate Cruise Experience

  • This course prepares students to conduct marine science at-sea. We learn about, and then develop, a cruise plan, building on what was learned in MEA 200. The course culminates in a 1-day cruise along the NC coast. Students are involved in all aspects of water and sediment sampling, organism sampling, and other at-sea activities. The data collected during the cruise is then worked up into a cruise report and presentation.

MEA591 - Special Topics: Optical Biogeochemistry

  • A specialized course that examines the absorption and fluorescence properties of natural waters, focused on dissolved organic matter. A very hands-on, project-driven course.

MEA759 - Organic Geochemistry (fall semester, odd years)

  • This is a graduate course that looks at the formation, fate, preservation, and detection of organic matter in the Earth system.  MEA759 reflects the students' interests and thus will change to meet those interests.  We use the text "Introduction to Organic Geochemistry", 2nd ed., by S. Killops and V. Killops as a foundation for the course, but we also discuss relevant literature from a variety of disciplines.