Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - EASC 103 D100

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (3)

Class Number: 2479

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Jan 23, 2026: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 26 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 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:

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 dinosaur classification and the dinosaur fossil record
  2. Life on Earth through geologic time
  3. Dinosaur origins – a look at tetrapods and the reptile family tree
  4. Dinosaur anatomy
  5. The rise of the dinosaurs: Triassic Earth
  6. Theropod classification
  7. Theropod diversity – a look at the branches on the theropod family tree
  8. Sauropods: the long-necks
  9. Ornithopods: iguanondontids and the ‘duck bills’
  10. Thyreophora: plated dinos and the armoured tanks
  11. Marginocephalia: horned dinos and the dome-heads
  12. The fall of the dinosaurs: K/Pg Mass Extinction

Course Organization: Three 50-minute lectures per week.

  • The course is organized with a number of in-term tests (no final exam). Attendance at each lecture is expected and students will annotate (add to) the posted lecture PDFs with information learned during the class.

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

  • Test 1 15%
  • Test 2 15%
  • Test 3 15%
  • Test 4 15%
  • Test 5 15%
  • Test 6 15%
  • Canvas Homework 5%
  • Lecture Participation 5%

NOTES:

Test Format: Each test is 50 minutes in duration and out of 50 marks. Format is multiple-choice.

Homework: Each lecture is followed by a homework exercise posted on Canvas. The homework is a series of multiple-choice questions or a matching exercise that will review your annotated lecture notes.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Access to Canvas

RECOMMENDED READING:

Dinosaurs: the Textbook, 6th edition by Spencer G. Lucas, 2016.  ISBN 9780231541848

Available at no charge, linked through the SFU Library (and linked through the Canvas course page).

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.