Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - EASC 103 D100

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (3)

Class Number: 1316

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Dinosaurs ruled our planet for nearly 150 million years until the abrupt extinction of all non-avian (non-bird) dinosaurs, approximately 66 million years ago. We examine geologic time, fossils and biological classification, and investigate the rise and fall of the theropods, sauropods, ornithopods, stegosaurs, ankylosaurs, ceratopsians, and pachycephalosaurs. 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: This offering of EASC 103 is via remote instruction (including all lectures and tests). 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. This can be done at any time during the scheduled lecture day. Prior to midnight on each lecture day students will complete an online QUIZ using their annotated lecture notes. The three TESTS (exams) are administered remotely via Canvas Quizzes and are completed during the scheduled lecture time on the dates noted on the course schedule (and noted below in the course details). You MUST be available to complete the tests during those scheduled times. Test format is a mix of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blanks, true or false and short-answer questions. The tests allow the use of your annotated lecture notes but they should not be heavily relied upon as each test is 50 minutes in duration. You need to have studied and truly know your stuff!

Course Details:

Mode of teaching:

  • Lecture: Synchronous (recorded)
  • Exams: Synchronous (Online via Canvas Quizzes from 9:30-10:20 AM PST on these dates: Monday October 4, Wednesday November 3, Friday December 3)

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Understand fossil preservation and types.
  • Know the geologic time scale and key events in biological evolution.
  • Know dinosaur classification.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the key evolutionary novelties for dinosaur clades.
  • Provide examples for each of the dinosaur clades.
  • Understand the Cretaceous-Paleogene Mass Extinction Event

Grading

  • Post-Lecture Quizzes 20%
  • Movie Assignments 5%
  • Test 1 25%
  • Test 2 25%
  • Test 3 25%

NOTES:

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

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

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

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 FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.