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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Marine Micropalaeontology (EASC10067)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaEarth Science Other subject areaEnvironmental Courses
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course is designed to provide an introduction to interpreting the microfossil record for palaeoenvironmental and biostratigraphy application with specific focus on the planktonic foraminifera. The course will begin with a short series of introductory talks with group discussions and since >the present is the key to the past<, the option starts with the biology of the modern ocean ecosystem, biodiversity and how modern genetics may influence the interpretation of the fossil record. This will be followed by visits to a foraminiferal genotyping lab and sediment core store followed by a set of practicals in the microscope lab. Students will examine and identify planktonic foraminifers at time intervals throughout the fossil record from the Cretaceous through to the recent, including the major extinction events. The Scanning Electron Microscope will be used to image the microfossils. Students will present biostratigraphic exercises to the group.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites 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 Block 4 (Sem 2), Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  10
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
King's BuildingsLectureLectures6-10 14:00 - 17:00
First Class Week 6, Thursday, 14:00 - 17:00, Zone: King's Buildings. provisioanally start Thursay 1st March (tbc)
Additional information Course Starts on Thursday 17 February.
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
In this course, students will develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of how to interpret the microfossil record for palaeoenvironmental and biostratigraphic application with specific focus on the planktonic foraminifera. Students will gain a thorough, integrated understanding of the biology of the modern ocean ecosystem, biodiversity, as well as a critical understanding of how modern genetics may influence the interpretation of the fossil record. Students will be given an insight into a range of professional level contexts through visits to a foraminiferal genotyping lab and sediment core store and will be able to practise in such contexts through the set of practicals based in the microscope lab. Therefore, by the end of this course, students will have learnt how to process sediments for dating and research and how to date a borehole using planktonic foraminiferal fossil biozones. They will have been introduced to both principal and specialised techniques used in this field for example the Scanning Electron Microscope and will know how to apply them to analyse complex problems. Students will be required to make formal presentations about biostratigraphic exercises for the assessment.
Assessment Information
Practical appraisal 50%, Presentation 50%
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
KeywordsMarine_Micropalaeo
Contacts
Course organiserDr Kathryn Darling
Tel: (0131)6 50 4913
Email: kate.darling@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Emma Latto
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: emma.latto@ed.ac.uk
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