Undergraduate Course: Palaeontology and Sedimentology (EASC10106)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course brings together aspects of palaeontology and sedimentology in the context of dedicated fieldtrips. |
| Course description |
The palaeontological component comprises:
1) Lecture and practical on the major fossil groups and evolutionary faunas
2) Vertebrates
3) Evolution over deep time and mass extinctions
4) Micropalaeontology
Continuing recently introduced practice, the aim is to place palaeontology teaching firmly in a field geological context, integrated with other aspects of geology, especially sedimentology.
The sedimentological component will cover:
1) Carbonate facies
2) Diagenetic systems and products; covering all aspects including siliciclastics and carbonates
3) Chemical systems and products; including related to iron, manganese, silica, phosphates and evaporites
4) Sequence stratigraphy: sedimentary rocks in their wider geological context, with practical case histories.
There will be a particular emphasis on the fundamental geochemical, biological and physical processes underpinning the science. Sequence stratigraphy will be used to help place sedimentary deposits in broader geological context which will highlight the importance of global eustatic sea level change and climatic change.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 14,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 42,
Fieldwork Hours 36,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
101 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Practical Test in Sedimentology«br /»
Practical Test in Palaeontology (group presentations based on the field trips; also summary fieldtrip assessment)«br /»
Degree exam |
| Feedback |
Mock exam question in sedimentology to be set and marked with written feedback; formative assessment of palaeontology during fieldtrips, with written feedback on their field trip exercise and also on group presentations |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Show a good understanding of the occurence and geological relevance of key fossil groups
- Show a good understanding of key geological processes and settings involved in the formation and diagenesis of carbonate and chemical sediments, with emphasis on the practical and field contect
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Reading List
Reading List:
Palaeontology:
1. Benton, M.J. and Harper, D.A.T, 2009, Basic Palaeontology: Introduction to Paleobiology and the fossil record, Wiley-Blackwell (this will be the main course textbook and is required reading)
2. Clarkson, E.N.K, 2001, Invertebrate palaeontology and evolution, Wiley-Blackwell (this book will be most useful in helping to identify major fossil groups)
3. Michael J Benton, 2014, Vetebrate Palaeontology, Wiley-Blackwell (this book is for background reading related to the vertebrate palaeontology lectures)
4. Stephen L. Brusatte, 2012, Dinosaur Paleobiology, Wiley-Blackwell (this book is for background reading related to the vertebrate palaeontology lectures)
Sedimentology:
Basic text-good for catch-up and basic information:
Tucker ME, Sedimentary Petrology: An Introduction, Blackwell
Nichols, G, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Blackwell (Advanced text- good for third year reference)
Leeder MR, Sedimentology and Sedimentary Basins: from Turbulence to Tectonics, Blackwell Science
Reading HG, Sedimentary Environments and Facies, Blackwell
Tucker ME and Wright VP, Carbonate Sedimentology, Blackwell
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Palaeontology,Sedimentology,Fieldwork |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Alastair Robertson
Tel: (0131 6)50 8546
Email: Alastair.Robertson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)51 1473
Email: Sarah.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
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