Undergraduate Course: History of Life (EASC08012)
Course Outline
School |
School of Geosciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 08 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
Home subject area |
Earth Science |
Other subject area |
Environmental Courses |
Course website |
None |
|
|
Course description |
1. Standing diversity on the planet is the product of over 3 billion years of evolution.
2. An appreciation of that narrative of evolutionary change gives depth and definition to any understanding of current diversity.
3. The fossil record and genetic studies offer complimentary approaches to this discipline.
This course will describe the history of life as it has evolved through time. Major topics will include the origin of life and of complicated life. The Cambrian explosion and the origin of modern phyla, innovation in the marine realm; trilobites, ammonites, sea lilies, the movement of life onto land, the origin of major plant groups, the Mesozoic world, dinosaurs, marine reptiles and pterosaurs. Mass extinctions. Mammals and humans. |
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
Entry at Course Organiser's discression if students have suitable backsground
|
Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
|
Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
King's Buildings | Laboratory | | 1-11 | 09:00 - 12:00 | or 09:00 - 12:00 | | or 09:00 - 12:00 | or 14:00 - 17:00 | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | | 10:00 - 10:50 | Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | 10:00 - 10:50 | | |
First Class |
First class information not currently available |
Additional information |
Laboratory classes will share a time slot with 'Time, Sediments and People', and will alternately use contact and distance learning methods. Contact hours for this course are an average taken through the semester. |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will have developed a broad knowledge of how diversity has increased over the last 3.5 billion years through an examination of fossil and other evidence and by discussing major theories that are used to explain the changes seen. They will gain an appreciation of how the modern diversity of organisms is the product of Darwinian evolution and an understanding of the underlying evolutionary and ecological controls on diversity change. Students will synthesise the key areas of a chosen aspect of the history of life in the assessed independent essay. Students will consider both the fossil record and genetic studies which are key components in this field through the practical classes and computer and tutorial supported independent study. |
Assessment Information
exam - 40%
practical work - 30%
essay - 30% |
Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser |
Dr Sue Rigby
Tel: (0131 6)50 8543
Email: sue.rigby@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Miss Emma Latto
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: emma.latto@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 5:47 am
|