Course Description

Assessment of the geological impact of life both before and after the advent of hard skeletons. Fossilization processes; skeletal composition and structure; numerical taxonomy; bioerosion; biostratigraphy; and paleobiogeography in the context of plate tectonics. Offered in alternate years.

UBC Calendar

For a full listing of course offerings please see the UBC calendar description

Learning Goals

1. Describe the paleontological evidence for the origin of life and its subsequent development.

2. Use paleontological data and samples in the interpretation of Earth history and the development of the biosphere.

3. Investigate specific paleontological topics and present a synthesis of the data in both written and oral forms that is consistent with professional paleontological research practices.

Instructors

Stuart Sutherland

Textbook

1998, Benton, M & Harper, D, Basic Palaeontology, Longman, ISBN: 0-582-22857-3

Course Content

Web Notes

Lecture Topics

Labs

The labs are intended to give you hands on experience of some of the major fossil groups and concepts we are dealing with. Only certain labs will be assessed - details will be provided later