THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
- ARCHIVE for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Palaeontology (EASC09006)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaEarth Science Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionFossils provide outstanding tools for temporal resolution and the interpretation of past surface conditions. This course will explore how fossils can be used by geologists and the reasons why they are useful. Limitations to their utility will also be discussed. The course will concentrate on the most commonly encountered groups of fossils and will introduce a wide range of tools for use in extracting information from them. The course will comprise lectures, specimen-based practicals and the extensive use of computer-based resources. Fossils are the remains of life on Earth, and they record important information about the origin, diversity and evolution of life. This course will concentrate on the biologically important aspects of palaeontology, evolution, palaeoecology and extinction. The interface between molecular biology and historical biology will be explored and complementary techniques identified and assessed. The course will comprise lectures, specimen-based practicals and the extensive use of computer-based resources. No previous knowledge is assumed.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Stratigraphy and Sedimentology (EASC08015)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
King's BuildingsLaboratory1-11 14:00 - 17:00
King's BuildingsLecture1-11 13:10 - 14:50
First Class Week 1, Tuesday, 13:10 - 13:50, Zone: King's Buildings. Lecture 1-3pm, MLT/201 Grant Institute followed by Labs as and when required, full timetable will be given at first lecture
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Palaeontology1:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will leave this course with an appreciation of the importance of fossils: how they are used to reconstruct past conditions and for documenting patterns of evolution and extinction. Learning will be achieved through lectures, specimen based practicals, computer based resources and fieldwork. This course will concentrate on the most commonly encountered groups of fossils and will introduce a wide range of tools for use in extracting information from them including the principles of DNA research in foraminifera, how to build a phylogenetic tree from DNA patterns in modern planktonic foraminifera and how to combine observations on modern plankton and the fossil record to obtain a comprehensive picture of underlying processes driving evolution in the ocean. Students will understand the principles of biostratigraphy, reading range charts, understanding zonations and will be skilled at reading the fossil record. Students will be able to link biodiversity patterns with their underlying geological extraterrestrial and environmental processes. Students will have a critical understanding of a selection of the principal theories in palaeontology as well as a detailed knowledge of a few areas, particularly Silurian fossils of the Pentland hills, Mesozoic fossils and extinction in the ocean at the K/T boundary.
Assessment Information
50% degree exam; 50% assessment of practical work.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsPalaeo
Contacts
Course organiserProf Dick Kroon
Tel: (0131 6)50 4509
Email: D.Kroon@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Emma Latto
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: emma.latto@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Timetab
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 5:53 am