This was an excellent course for learning lab procedures and working with lab equipment (mass spectrometer usage, centrifuging, micropipetting, micro scale techniques, microscopy, etc.). This was also a good course for getting used to discussing journal articles in the scientific literature, not only including the research conclusions but also looking into the strengths and weaknesses of particular research.

Most of the material was new to me, but the applications of stable (non-radioactive) isotopes extend well outside of geology. We studied applications in the hydrologic cycle, bottled water, carbonate rocks, and even the health of living organisms. We also discussed journal articles frequently.

Very knowledgeable and professional. Dr. Suarez gives excellent instructions for the lab and lecture portions of the course. She is currently teaching at the University of Kansas.

Having a good background in physics will be very useful for the conceptual portion. Though the mass spectrometer is essentially a custom build that occasionally fails without warning, so the lab work can really hinge on whether it's operational. Students will have to go through lab safety training with the university (not a part of this course).