Summer 2021 - EASC 103 D100

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (3)

Class Number: 1145

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Class Dinosauria and how our understanding of this extinct group continues to evolve in the light of new discoveries. Topics include the rise of the dinosaurs, criteria for the recognition of the different groups, fossil data regarding dinosaur metabolism, evidence of dinosaur behavior, possible evolutionary relationships with birds, and theories of dinosaur extinction. Students may not take EASC 103 for credit towards EASC major or minor program requirements. Students with credit for EASC 103W may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

General: REQUIREMENT DESIGNATION: B-Sci

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs is an introductory course with focus on the Mesozoic Earth. We will examine the ‘Age of Reptiles’ and gain insights into a world ruled by dinosaurs. We begin with a broad look at fossils, geologic time and biological classification, and spend most of our time looking at the different groups of dinosaurs. The course ends with the extinction of the (non-avian) dinosaurs.

Course Topics:
  1. An introduction to dinosaurs, fossils, geologic time and biological classification
  2. Dinosaur ancestry and anatomy
  3. The rise of dinosaurs: the Triassic dinosaurs
  4. Theropod classification and diversity
  5. Sauropods: the long-necks
  6. Ornithopods: iguanondontids and the ‘duck bills’
  7. Thyreophora: plated dinos and the armoured tanks
  8. Marginocephalia: horned dinos and the dome-heads
  9. The fall of the dinosaurs: the K/Pg Extinction Event
Course Organization: The Summer 2021 offering of EASC 103 is via remote instruction. We will be using the Canvas platform where you will download PDFs of the lecture PowerPoint slides and annotate these notes while listening to the lecture recording. Lectures are scheduled as SYNCHRONOUS. However, as all lectures are recorded, students can listen and review them at any time. Lecture exams are SYNCHRONOUS (done during the lecture period, dates will be posted on the course schedule). You must be available to complete the exam during those scheduled times.

Course Details:

Mode of teaching:

  • Lecture: Synchronous (recorded)
  • Exams: Synchronous (dates TBA)

Materials + Supplies:

Computer or tablet, access to high-speed internet, access to Canvas and Zoom, webcam

Grading

  • 4 tests each worth 25% of the course grade (*Subject to change) Tests are SYNCHRONOUS (during the regular scheduled lecture times) and administered remotely via Canvas Quizzes. Test format is a mix of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blanks, matching and short-answer questions. 100%

NOTES:

This course fulfills Breadth-Science (B-Sci) requirements with successful completion    (C- letter grade or better).

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Course E-Text:

Dinosaurs: the Textbook, 6th edition by Spencer G. Lucas, 2016.  

If available, an online version of the textbook will be linked through the SFU Library.


ISBN: 9780231541848

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).