This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

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    Home > Courses > Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences > Molecular Biogeochemistry

    Molecular Biogeochemistry

    As taught in: Fall 2006

    Hot spring sample of biomass.

    Yellowstone National Park 'Ojo Caliente' hot spring sample of biomass from a 'streamer' community. (Image by Prof. Roger Summons.)

    Instructors:

    Prof. Roger Summons

    MIT Course Number:

    12.458

    Level:

    Graduate

    Course Description

    This course covers all aspects of molecular biosignatures from their pathways of lipid biosynthesis, the distribution patterns of lipid biosynthetic pathways with regard to phylogeny and physiology, isotopic contents, occurrence in modern organisms and environments, diagenetic pathways, analytical techniques and the occurrence of molecular fossils through the geological record.