Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Principles of classification, morphology and development of the major groups of animals and plants in the geological record; the paleoecologic significance of fossils. Students with credit for EASC 203 or EASC 310 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

EASC 310W is an introduction to Paleontology, tracing the evolution of life based on evidence from the fossil record. The course will concentrate on invertebrate fossil groups and the various morphological criteria necessary for their identification. In addition, the course will consider the principles of preservation, classification and paleoecological interpretation, in relation to the main fossil groups important to geology. Lectures will provide the necessary theoretical framework. Laboratory work will focus on examining morphological elements of the main invertebrate fossil groups and their classification and analytical techniques. This course is offered as a Writing Intensive course.

Course Topics:
1. Introduction to paleontology, the fossil record and variations in fossils, principles of preservation, taphonomy.
2. A brief summary of the early Earth and the origin of life,
3. A discussion of species and speciation, and systematics.
4. Use of paleontological data, microfossils, adaptation and functional morphology, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, biogeography.
5. Analysis of organisms' adaptive abilities to better suit their environment; the influence of plate tectonics and paleoclimates on the evolution of life; mass extinction events.

Course Organization:
One 2-hour lecture/week (Most delivered in person. Some may be pre-recorded)
One 3-hour laboratory period every week (in person)

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

* recognize, describe and classify a wide range of invertebrate fossil groups and understand their temporal position in Earth history.

* understand functional morphology and evolutionary pathways for fossil groups and their roles in biostratigraphy and paleoecological interpretations.

* identify a number of zone fossils from different time periods.

* understand the role plate tectonics played in the evolution and extinction of life through Earth history.

* demonstrate improved technical writing skills through a series of writing exercises.

Grading

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: