2019/2020

2019/2020

DM270

GEO/01 (PALAEONTOLOGY AND PALAEOECOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

2nd semester (02/03/2020 - 12/06/2020)

9

72 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

COBIANCHI MIRIAM (titolare) - 9 ECTS

The Paleontology teaching requires the attendance of the course named "Introduction to geology" and therefore the knowledge of the basics of geology. In particular, the definition of rock, sedimentary rocks, the lithogenetic cycle, the concept of mineral and the knowledge of the minerals that make up the mineralized parts of organisms. The concepts of absolute geological time and relative geological time.

The aim of the course is to provide to the student basics of paleontology and, particularly, the comprehension of
the scientific meaning of fossils and their use in the earth sciences.
They are also provided the skills necessary for the determination of fossil invertebrates,
the main groups of fossil Protists and the major organogenic rocks, with particular attention to the role played by the
Organisms in their genesis.

Definition of paleontology and fossils; metodological concepts; the chronological context: relative and absolute
chronology. Taphonomical processes. Meanings of the fossils record and their use in the earth sciences through
basic principles of paleoecology and stratigraphy. Taxonomic hierarchy; the biological and the paleontological
concepts of species; the origin of species. Origin and major evolutionary events in the life history. Systematic
paleontology: invertebrate phyla, basics on Protista and vertebrates. Classification of the main biogenic rocks.
Laboratory practice on fossil and biogenic rock samples, a field trip and a visit to a natural history museum
complete the course.

The course consists of lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips. Students are required to prepare a power point for groups which is presented by them during the last lesson on paleontological topics. In addition to the knowledge of the general part of the course, which deals with the general concepts and the methodological approach, much emphasis is placed on practical exercises aimed at acquiring empirical observation skills, identifying the main morphological characteristics and their interpretation through the determination of the fossil.

=Allasinaz A. (2005) - Paleontologia generale e sistematica degli Invertebrati. Universitas.

Benton M.J. and Harper A.T. (2013) - Paleobiology and the fossil Record. Wiley-Blackwell.

The examination is oral and consists of 5 basic questions. The first requires the student to illustrate a topic
chosen in order to verify its ability to hearing. The others enter into the basic knowledge of paleontology and
their application to the earth sciences. For the preparation of the examination, a substantial individual study is needed to determine the samples of fossils and organogenic rocks to be carried out at the Paleontology Laboratory (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences - Via Ferrata 1, open every day from 14.00 to 16.00). The description and determination of these samples is an indispensable requirement for passing the exam.

The examination is oral and consists of 5 basic questions. The first requires the student to illustrate a topic
chosen in order to verify its ability to hearing. The others enter into the basic knowledge of paleontology and
their application to the earth sciences. For the preparation of the examination, a substantial individual study is needed to determine the samples of fossils and organogenic rocks to be carried out at the Paleontology Laboratory (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences - Via Ferrata 1, open every day from 14.00 to 16.00). The description and determination of these samples is an indispensable requirement for passing the exam.