# Molecular Biogeochemistry

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

### Instructor(s)

Prof. Roger Summons

Dr. Florence Schubotz

Dr. Julio Sepulveda

Dr. Paula Welander

### MIT Course Number

12.158 / 12.458

### As Taught In

Fall 2011

### Level

Undergraduate / Graduate

###

Some Description
Instructor(s) | Prof.
As Taught In | Spring 2002
Course Number | 2.24
Level | Undergraduate/Graduate
Features | Lecture Notes, Student Work

## Course Description

## Course Features

- Lecture notes
- Assignments: presentations (no examples)

## Course Description

This course covers all aspects of molecular biosignatures, such as 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. Students analyze in depth the recent literature on chemical fossils. Lectures provide background on the subject matter. Basic knowledge of organic chemistry required. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

## Other Versions

## Other OCW Versions

Archived versions:

- 12.158 Molecular Biogeochemistry (Fall 2010)
- 12.458 Molecular Biogeochemistry (Fall 2009)

## Related Content

## Course Collections

See related courses in the following collections:

### Cross-Disciplinary Lists

- Life Sciences Courses

### Find Courses by Topic

- Earth Science > Geobiology
- Earth Science > Geochemistry
- Biology > Ecology
- Biology > Molecular Biology

Roger Summons, Florence Schubotz, Julio Sepulveda, and Paula Welander. 12.158 Molecular Biogeochemistry. Fall 2011. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.

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