Section Info: GEOL-342PC-01

Course Title: Seminar in Geology: 'Paleoclimatology: Trees, Sediments, and Natural Disaster'
Start Date: 01/27/2026 End Date: 05/12/2026
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Description: Paleoclimatology -- the study of past climates -- is a multidisciplinary field that integrates geological, geochemical, geophysical, and biological tools to interpret Earth's climate history and the processes that have shaped it. This course examines how climate-related events are recorded in the floodplain sediments of the Connecticut River and how surrounding tree populations have responded to local and regional climate change. Using data from local weather stations and historical archives, students will analyze climate trends over the past century. This course emphasizes research- and discussion-based approach, engaging students in geological investigations that include literature review, field sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, hypothesis testing, and public presentation.
Distribution(s): II - Math & Sciences , TP - Topics Course
Academic Level Of Course: Undergraduate     Credits:4.00    

Faculty         Phone         Email address        
Kinuyo Kanamaru             kkanamar@mtholyoke.edu  

Meeting Dates         Method         Meeting days         Meeting times         Building name         Room     Frequency    
01/27/2026 - 05/12/2026   Seminar   Tuesday   01:30PM - 04:20PM   TBA   TBA   Weekly

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Requisite Courses        
Prereq: 8 credits in Geology, Geography, or Environmental Studies. Take previously   Required  

Comments        
Additional Comments        
Course Tags        
ENVST-NS   ENVST-NS: Env Studies pre-2024 Minor - Natural Science   This course has been approved to count towards the Environmental Studies minor Natural Science area.  
ENVST-CRSE   ENVST-EL: Env Studies Electives   This course is an approved elective for the Environmental Studies major and minor.  
GEOL0001   GEOL-1: Geology major and minor   This course counts toward the Geology major and minor.  
GEOG0001   GEOG-1: Geography major   This course counts toward the Geography major and minor.  
GEOG0001   GEOG-1: Geography minor   This course counts toward the Geography major and minor.  

Cross-listed Sections        
None  

Course Availability
Section status: Waitlisted     Capacity: 11     Enrollment: 11     Available: 0     Waitlist: 5
Please note: The "Available" count will equal 0 in a Waitlisted course where spaces in the course have recently opened and students have not yet been moved into them from the waitlist.

BOOK INFORMATION

Book List         Required         Publisher Full Price        
To be determined.                    

Additional Book Comments        
This is NOT the complete book list for this class.