Fall 2023

Paleontology and Geobiology

Listed in: Geology, as GEOL-251

Faculty

David S. Jones (Sections 01 and 01L)

Description

This course focuses on the history of life as preserved in the sedimentary rock record. Students will learn how paleontologists and geobiologists use skeletal fossils, molecular fossils, and geochemical signatures to ask and answer questions about the evolution of ancient life and Earth history. Students will study the origination, radiation, and extinction of major groups of organisms in the context of global environmental change, with an emphasis on invertebrate and microbial life. Laboratories include the systematic description, identification, and interpretation of fossils as well as quantitative techniques to solve paleontological problems. Three hours of lectures and three hours of laboratory. One weekend field trip.

Requisite: At least on GEOL course, recommended GEOL 112. Fall semester. Associate Professor Jones. 

How to handle overenrollment: null

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: independent research, group work, museum work, quantitative work, oral presentations, field work, lab work

GEOL 251 - LEC

Section 01
M 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM BEBU 311
W 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM BEBU 311
F 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM BEBU 311

GEOL 251 - LAB

Section 01L
Th 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM BEBU 203

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

Section(s) ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
All Bringing Fossils to Life: an introduction.... Prothero, Donald TBD

Offerings

Other years: Offered in Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Spring 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2021, Fall 2023