Enrollment year
2018/2019
Academic discipline
GEO/01 (PALAEONTOLOGY AND PALAEOECOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Course
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
2nd semester (04/03/2019 - 14/06/2019)
Lesson hours
72 lesson hours
Prerequisites
The attendance of the course named "Introduction to geology" is required.
Learning outcomes
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.
Course contents
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.
Teaching methods
=The course includes lessons, laboratory practices and field trips.
Students are required to prepare a power point on paleontological topics for groups that is presented by them during the last lesson.
Reccomended or required readings
=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.
Assessment methods
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.
Further information
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.
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