Course Track Descriptions

This course offers two complementary approaches to learning paleoclimate science. Both tracks develop critical scientific thinking, engage with primary literature, and require rigorous analysis. You'll choose your track by the end of Week 1.

RESEARCH TRACK: Experimental Paleoclimate Proxy Development
 

In this track, you'll conduct original research on testate amoebae as paleoclimate indicators. You'll culture living organisms under controlled environmental conditions (e.g., varying pH and temperature), monitor their responses over the semester, and analyze how environmental changes affect shell morphology and community structure. This hands-on approach teaches you how some paleoclimate proxies are developed and calibrated.
 

What you'll do:

• Set up and maintain testate amoeba cultures under different environmental conditions

• Collect weekly observations and measurements

• Conduct SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis of shell morphology

• Potentially use EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction) for crystallographic analysis

• Design controlled experiments testing specific hypotheses

• Troubleshoot experimental challenges as they arise

• Analyze data statistically to identify significant patterns

• Present findings in scientific format

• Potentially contribute to a peer-reviewed publication 
   

Skills you'll develop:

• Experimental design and implementation

• Organism culturing and maintenance

• Microscopy and analytical techniques

• Handling "failed" experiments and adapting methods

• Statistical analysis of biological data

• Scientific communication of original research
   

Time commitment: ~3 hours/week outside class (culture maintenance, basic observations, data entry)

 

 

ANALYSIS TRACK: Data Synthesis & Interpretation
 

In this track, you'll work with datasets to develop original interpretations of paleoenvironmental change. You'll analyze real research data, compare findings with published literature, develop evidence-based interpretations, and potentially contribute to a scientific manuscript. This analytical approach teaches you how to critically evaluate data and construct scientific arguments.

What you'll do:

• Explore and analyze data

• Conduct statistical analyses to identify significant patterns

• Review relevant published literature to contextualize findings

• Develop multiple interpretations supported by evidence

• Create publication-quality data visualizations

• Evaluate competing hypotheses for the same dataset

• Write scientific discussion sections synthesizing your findings

• Potentially contribute to a peer-reviewed publication

 

Skills you'll develop:

• Data analysis and statistical reasoning

• Critical evaluation of scientific evidence

• Literature synthesis and integration

• Development of evidence-based arguments

• Scientific visualization and figure creation

• Distinguishing correlation from causation

• Scientific writing and communication

Time commitment: ~3 hours/week outside class (data analysis, literature review, writing)

 

SHARED COMPONENTS (Both Tracks):

• Weekly roundtable discussions (Thursdays)

• Scientific paper presentations (rotating)

• Peer review and feedback

• Final research presentations

• Integration of findings with course paleoclimate concepts
   

Both tracks use specifications grading focused on learning process, engagement, and scientific thinking rather than perfect results. You'll know exactly what's required for each grade, and revision opportunities are built in.