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The course provides an introduction to palaeontology including a description of the evolution of life on Earth with particular focus on the major fossil forming groups. Practical work will include the description and classification of fossil invertebrate groups, and the manipulation and application of palaeontological data.
Coordinator: Prof. Paul Bown
- Module details
Title History of Life UG Code GEOL0003 Coordinator Prof. Paul Bown Other Contributors Term 2 Credit 15 credits Written Exam 80% (2 Hrs unseen) Coursework 20% (2 pieces worth 10% each) Pre-Requisites GEOL0007, or at least one A Level out of Biology, Geology or Geography Maths & Stats Content and Requirement General GCSE-level (or equivalent) knowledge of maths Total Number of Hours of Student Work 188 hours Hours of Lectures/Seminars 20 hours Hours of Practicals/Problem Classes 20 hours Hours of Tutorials 0 Days of Fieldwork 0 Other None - Title placeholder
Topics studied in lectures and practicals include:what is palaeontology?classification and evolution;the origin of life;the early history of life;the Cambrian explosion;life in the Palaeozoic - arthropods;reef forming organisms;introduction to palaeoecology;reef fossils and palaeoecology;brachiopods and bivalves;cephalopods and palaeobiogeography;graptolites and conodonts;invasion of the land I - plants/palynology;vertebrates and invasion of the land II;echinoderms;dinosaurs;mass extinctions;mammals;the rise of humans.Practical work will include the description and classification of major invertebrate fossil groups, and the manipulation and application of palaeontological data.
Topics studied in lectures and practicals include:
- the origin of life;
- what is palaeontology?
- classification and evolution;
- the early history of life;
- the Cambrian explosion;
- life in the Palaeozoic - arthropods;
- reef forming organisms;
- introduction to palaeoecology;
- reef fossils and palaeoecology;
- brachiopods and bivalves;
- cephalopods and palaeobiogeography;
- graptolites and conodonts;
- invasion of the land I - plants/palynology;
- vertebrates and invasion of the land II;
- echinoderms;
- dinosaurs;
- mass extinctions;
- mammals;
- the rise of humans.
Practical work will include the description and classification of major invertebrate fossil groups, and the manipulation and application of palaeontological data.
AIMS
To discuss the development of life on Earth and the way in which life and the physical environment have interacted through 3,800 million years of Earth history. To describe the formation of the solar system, the origins of life on Earth, and the development of life and the planet through the Precambrian and Phanerozoic. To introduce all aspects of palaeontology - palaeobiology, biostratigraphy, evolution, palaeoecology and taxonomy.
To discuss the development of life on Earth and the way in which life and the physical environment have interacted through 3,800 million years of Earth history. To describe the formation of the solar system, the origins of life on Earth, and the development of life and the planet through the Precambrian and Phanerozoic. To introduce all aspects of palaeontology - palaeobiology, biostratigraphy, evolution, palaeoecology and taxonomy.
OUTCOMES
Understanding of the interactions between the biosphere and the physical environment through geological time;Recognition & description of fossils;Knowledge and practical application of palaeontological techniques in the Geological Sciences, specifically in biostratigraphy, palaeoenvironmental analyses and evolutionary studies;Knowledge of the biology, classification and geological history of all major fossil groups.
- Understanding of the interactions between the biosphere and the physical environment through geological time;
- Recognition & description of fossils;
- Knowledge and practical application of palaeontological techniques in the Geological Sciences, specifically in biostratigraphy, palaeoenvironmental analyses and evolutionary studies;
- Knowledge of the biology, classification and geological history of all major fossil groups.