Module GEOL3071: PALAEOBIOLOGY

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3071: PALAEOBIOLOGY

Prerequisites

• Fossils and Dynamic Stratigraphy of the British Isles GEOL2051 or any Level 1 module from Biological Sciences.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide students with an introduction into the theory of Evolution.
• To enable students to experience the palaeobiological research environment.

Content

• History of evolutionary theory and the modern synthesis.
• The genetic code.
• origin and maintenance of variation.
• Speciation - punctuational and gradualistic models, stasis.
• Molecular information and the fossil record.
• Biosphere response to environmental change.
• Palaeo-biogeography - theory and role in plate tectonic reconstruction.
• Population dynamics.
• Ecosystem decline and mass extinction.
• Ecosystem recovery.
• History of classificatory techniques.
• classical systematics.
• phenetics, cladistics.
• Exercise on the cladistic classification of a group of invertebrate fossils.
• A group project will include: data collection, analysis, write-up and presentation.

Learning Outcomes

• To critically assess the scientific basis for Evolution, testing predictions of the theory using fossil and molecular data.
• Will have acquired research level skills in the analysis of fossil material, including scientific writing and presentation.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in palaeontological principles, terms, definitions and classifications.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in ecological, biological and geochemical processes and their role in shaping the Earth.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in the fossil record and the evolution of life.

• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills necessary to plan, conduct and report on mix of laboratory and field projects.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in order to apply geological principles and methodologies to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to formulate and test concepts and hypotheses.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to observe, record accurately and account for geological features in the laboratory and in the field.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate/interpret palaeontological data.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in citation and appropriate use of the literature.

• Receive and respond to a variety of information sources.
• Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms.
• Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages.
• Solve numerical problems using computer or non-computer techniques.
• Use the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
• Identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities.
• Recognise and respect the views of other team members.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is delivered through a term of flexible three-hour slots comprising lectures and practicals supported by handouts and directed reading in which the students will learn about the scientific basis for evolution.
• Student selected practical elements will be formatively and summatively assessed.
• In the second term students will conduct summatively-assessed, independently-researched projects in which they will be required to demonstrate their familiarity with contemporary palaeobiological ideas and literature.
• Guidance on preparation, key and exam skills are provided.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Written reports.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University