Earth's Climate History and the Origin of Life

After a brief overview of the functioning of the modern climate system, the course introduces the main approaches used to reconstruct past climates (i.e., archives, proxies, and dating methods). It then explores the evidence for the origin of life, the emergence of early metabolic pathways, and the evolution of Earth’s primitive atmosphere. The course further examines major transitions in Earth history, including global glaciations (e.g., Snowball Earth) and the colonization of continents by plants and its biogeochemical consequences.

It subsequently investigates how Earth’s climate has evolved across a range of timescales: variations linked to tectonics and orbital forcing, changes at glacial–interglacial and millennial scales, as well as historical and recent changes. Key themes include the drivers (i.e., forcings) of climate change, the response times of Earth system components, and the interactions and feedback mechanisms between these components.

The practical sessions involve identifying relevant scientific articles, followed by in-depth reading and an oral presentation of a selected paper. Attendance at all student presentations is mandatory.

Earth's Climate History and the Origin of Life is taught in English.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Explain the main processes governing Earth’s climate system and its evolution across different timescales.
• Identify and critically evaluate the principal archives, proxies, and dating methods used to reconstruct past climates.
• Describe major transitions in Earth’s climatic and biogeochemical history and their underlying mechanisms.
• Analyze the main forcings, feedbacks, and interactions responsible for past and recent climate variability.
• Critically read, interpret, and discuss scientific literature in paleoclimatology and Earth system science.
• Synthesize scientific findings and communicate them clearly through an oral presentation and scientific discussion.

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

Basic knowledge of geosciences and undergraduate-level of physics, chemistry and biology. A basic level of English is required to follow the course and do the coursework.

Through lectures, practical sessions, literature-based exercises, and small-group interactive teaching, students develop the skills needed to understand and critically assess past climate and environmental changes across a broad range of timescales.

The course also develops critical thinking and scientific reasoning, with particular emphasis on interpreting paleoclimate archives and proxies, evaluating evidence for past environmental change, and understanding the forcings, interactions, and feedback mechanisms that govern the evolution of the Earth system. Through the critical reading and oral presentation of scientific literature, students further strengthen their ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate scientific findings.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

W.F. Ruddiman, 2014. Earth's climate, past and future. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, pp466.

Support(s) de cours

• Syllabus
• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Laboratoire de Glaciologie - Mme Lelouchier 02-650 22 27

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen oral
• Présentation orale

Examen oral

• Examen avec préparation

• Question ouverte à réponse courte
• Question ouverte à développement long

Présentation orale

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

The examination covering the course content is oral. It consists of two questions, with 30 minutes of preparation time. The aim of the examination is to foster a discussion of the topics and concepts covered during the course. The oral examination accounts for two-thirds (2/3) of the final grade.

The practical component accounts for one-third (1/3) of the final grade. Assessment is based on the quality of the scientific article presentation and the student’s responses to questions following the presentation.

AI is permitted as a learning assistant, provided it is used in a transparent, critical, and reflective manner that supports genuine academic growth and the development of autonomous expertise in geosciences. The use of AI has to be disclosed and is expected to be critical, reflective, and academically responsible. Students remain fully accountable for the accuracy, quality, and originality of their work. 

The instructors reserve the right to invite any student to an additional oral interview in order to verify the student’s own understanding of the content of the oral presentation, particularly when inconsistencies identified in the presentation prevent the instructors from properly assessing the student’s level of understanding. 

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais
• français