EAPS 41400 - Principles Of Paleontology

History of plant and animal life as related the evolving earth climate, oceanographic, and tectonic systems. Introduction to the scientific study of fossils: sampling and analysis contributing to understanding of taphonomy, evolution, paleobiogeography, paleoecology, functional morphology, and biostratigraphy. One two-hour laboratory per week; one weekend field trip required.

Cr. 3.
Notes
Additional $50 assessed for field trip expenses.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Explain and discuss the nature of the fossil record.
2. Solve basic problems involving biogeochemical cycles and mass balance equations.
3. Discuss how plates move and recount their general arrangements and movements through the Phanerozoic.
4. Build on plate tectonic history and orbital parameters to explain climate and oceanographic histories.
5. Analyze the modern or ancient distribution of taxonomic groups in terms of plate tectonic history and changing sea-levels.
6. Reconstruct aspects of development and function from fossil evidence.
7. Analyze fossil assemblages and Autecology to reconstruct living communities.
8. Read and explain a phylogeny, relate phylogeny to evidence from fossils and living organisms.