Palaeontology II
Code: 101048 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500254 Geology | OB | 2 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Carme Boix Martinez
- Email:
- Carme.Boix@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Other comments on languages
Some material could be in Spanish or English.Teachers
- Enric Vicens Batet
Prerequisites
Specifically, this subject requires prior knowledge obtained through the following subjects: Life on Earth and Palaeontology I.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Contextualization: The subject “Palaeontology” is subdivided into the units Palaeontology I and Palaeontology II, which are taught, respectively, in the first and second semester of the second year of the Degree in Geology.
Palaeontology II focusses on the fossil record of those groups not taught in Palaeontology I, which include a part of the invertebrates and the microfossils. Their morphology and certain geological applications (biostratigraphy, palaeoecology, palaeobiogeography) will be studied.
Competences
- Display knowledge of the techniques for identifying the principal fossil groups and use them to date and interpret ancient sedimentary environments, and relate them to the history of the Earth.
- Evaluate and carry out the selection and collection of suitable geological samples.
- Learn and apply the knowledge acquired, and use it to solve problems.
- Obtain information from texts written in other languages.
- Process, interpret and present field data using qualitative and quantitative techniques, and suitable computer programmes.
- Process, interpret and present laboratory data using qualitative and quantitative techniques, and suitable computer programmes.
- Recognise theories, paradigms, concepts and principles in the field of geology and use them in different areas of application, whether scientific or technical.
- Synthesise and analyse information critically.
- Work in teams, developing the social skills needed for this.
- Work independently.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the principle of overlap and the evolution of species.
- Carry out a palaeontological sampling and reference it in the local and regional stratigraphic context.
- Digitally process palaeontological field data.
- Discern and describe laboratory techniques for studying the different types of fossils and quantify the associated information.
- Display knowledge of the techniques for identifying the principal fossil groups and use them to date and interpret ancient sedimentary environments, and relate them to the history of the Earth.
- Learn and apply the knowledge acquired, and use it to solve problems.
- Obtain information from texts written in other languages.
- Relate concepts and theories in palaeontology.
- Synthesise and analyse information critically.
- Work in teams, developing the social skills needed for this.
- Work independently.
Content
- Introduction to microfossils: main groups
- Calcareous microfossils and nannofossils
- Siliceous microfossils and nannofossils
- Calcareous “algae”
- Palynomorphs
- Cephalopods
- Trilobites
- Bryozoans
- Graptolites
- Conodonts
Methodology
Lectures: Students will acquire the necessary scientific-technical knowledge for the course in the lectures.
Laboratory classes: Attending laboratory classes is mandatory; these classes will take place in 2 hour-long sessions per week at the Palaeontology laboratory. Practical classes will consist of the observation of the distinct fossil groups previously presented in the theory classes. Microscopes will be used on small-sized fossils. Students will be introduced to the determination of fossil sections (in rock samples and thin-section). Exercises carried out in laboratory classes or as independent work will be submitted on the dates determined by the lecturers.
Fieldwork: Attendance is mandatory. Students will visit one or more areas to put into practice the knowledge acquired in the lectures and laboratory classes.
Independent activities: students must complement the above activities with personal work and study.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Fieldwork | 7.5 | 0.3 | 9, 5, 2 |
| Laboratory work | 19.5 | 0.78 | 9, 1, 6, 5, 4, 2, 7, 3, 8, 11, 10 |
| Lectures | 26 | 1.04 | 9, 1, 6, 5, 4, 2, 7, 3, 8, 11, 10 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Exercises | 15 | 0.6 | 9, 4, 3 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal study and work | 75 | 3 | 9, 6, 7, 3, 8, 11, 10 |
Assessment
All students registered on this subject (whether for the first time or not) are required to carry out the same activities (lectures, laboratory classes and field trips) and will be subject to the same assessment criteria.
Exams: There are two exams, which—jointly—represent 70% of the final grade. These will take place during the course and will include all content covered in lectures, practical classes and the field trip. A minimum grade of 4 is required in each exam in order for an average overall grade to be calculated with the other course grades. Students who have obtained a grade lower than 4 must present themselves for re-assessment of the exams.
Laboratory classes and field trip. Attending the laboratory classes and field trip is mandatory. Students attending less than 80% of the practical sessions will not be eligible for assessment and will be awarded the grade of Fail (0) for laboratory classes. Non-attendance of the field trip on the day established will result in a Fail (0) for this activity. There is no re-assessment for the practical exercises or field trip.
A minimum overall grade of 5 is required to pass the subject.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exams | 70% | 4 | 0.16 | 9, 1, 6, 5, 4, 2, 7, 3, 8, 11, 10 |
| Practical classes and fieldtrip | 30% | 3 | 0.12 | 9, 1, 6, 5, 2, 3, 8, 11, 10 |
Bibliography
Armstrong, H.A., Brasier, M.D. 2005. Microfossils (second edition). Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. 296 p. ISBN 0 632 05279 1 Paris. 408 p. (56 Bab)
Black, R.M. 1988. The Elements of Palaeontology. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 404 p. ISBN 0 521 34836 6 (56 Bla)
Boardman, R.S., Cheetham, A.H., Rowell, A.J. 1987. Fossil invertebrates. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Oxford. 713 p. ISBN 0 86542 302 4 (562 Fos)
Caus, E., Serra-Kiel, J. 1992. Macroforaminífers. Servei geològic de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
Clarkson, E.N.K. 1979. Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution.George Allen & Unwin, London. 323 p. ISBN 0 04 560008 2 (562Cla)
Clarkson, E.N.K. 1998. Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution.4th ed. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 452 p. ISBN 0 632 05238 4 (562 Cla)
Cowen, R. 2000. History of Life. Blackwell Science. Oxford. 432 p. ISBN 0 632 04444 6 (56 Cow)
Doménech, R., Martinell, J., (Martín-Closas, C.) 1996. Introducción a los fósiles. Masson. Barcelona. 288 p. ISBN 84 458 0404 9 (56Dom)
Doyle, P. 1996. Understanding Fossils. An Introduction to Invertebrate Palaeontology. John Wiley & Sons. Chichester. 409 p. ISBN 0 471 96351 8 (562 Doy)
Foote, M., Miller, A.I. 2007. Principles of Paleontology (third edition).W.H. Freeman and Co. New York. 354 p. ISBN 13 978 0 7167 06137 (56Foo)
Fortey, R. 2006. ¡Trilobites! Laetoli, Pamplona. 308 p. ISBN 84 9348623 X ()
Gallemí, J. (Coordinador). 1988. El registre fòssil. Història Natural dels Països Catalans. T 15. Ed. Enciclopèdia Catalana. 438 p. ISBN84 7739 022 3 ()
Hammer, O., Harper, D.A.T. 2006. Paleontological data analysis. Blackwell Publishing. 351 p. ISBN 1405115440 (56 Ham)
Lethiers, F. 1998. Évolution de la biosphère et évenéments géologiques. Gordon and Breach Science Publications GIB. 321 p. ISBN 90 5699 124 8 (551 Let)
Levi-Setti, R. 1975. Trilobites. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.213 p. ISBN 0 226 474488 (562 Lev)
López, N., Truyols, J. 1994. Paleontología. Editorial Síntesis. Madrid. 334 p. ISBN 84 7738 249 2 (56 Lop)
Majewske, O.P. 1974. Recognition of invertebrate fossil fragments inrocks and thin sections. E.J. Brill, Leiden. (562 Maj)
Martínez Chacón, M.L., Rivas, P. 2009. Paleontología de invertebrados. Sociedad Española de Paleontología. Oviedo. 524 p. ISBN 978 84 613 4625 7 (562 Pal)
McGowran, B. 2005. Biostratigraphy. Microfossils and Geological time. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 459 p. ISBN 0 521 83750 2 (551 Mcg)
McNamara, K., Long, J. 1998. The Evolution Revolution. Wiley. Chichester. 298 p. ISBN 0 471 97406 4 (56 McN)
Meléndez, B. 1998. Tratado de Paleontología, I. CSIC. Madrid. ISBN 84 00 07790 3 (56 Mel)
Molina, E. (editor) 2004. Micropaleontología (2a edición). Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza, Zaragoza. 704 p. ISBN 84 7733 744 6 (560 Mic)
Moore, R.C.(Editor, diversos anys, diversos volums) Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Cada grup d’invertebrats es tractat en volums diferents. (es troben normalment al laboratori de pràctiques)
Murray, J.W. 1985. Atlas of invertebrate macrofossils. Ed. Longman. Essex. 241 p. ISBN 0 582 30099 1 (562 Atl)
Palmer, D., Rickards, B. 1991. Graptolites. Boydell Press. Woodbridge. 166 p + 138 pl. ISBN 0 85115 262 7 (562 Gra)
Smith, A.B. 1984. Echinoid Palaeobiology. George Allen & Unwin. London. 190 p. ISBN 0 04 563001 1 (560 Smi)
Smith, A.B. 1994. Systematics and the fossil record. Documenting revolutionary patterns. Blackwell Science. Oxford. 223 p. ISBN 0 63203642 7 (56 Smi)
Smith, A.B., Batten, D.J. 2002. Fossils of the Chalk. Palaeontological Association, London. 374. ISBN 0 901702 78 1 (56 (4) Fos)
Whittington, H.B. 1992. Trilobites. Boydell Press. Woodbridge. 145 p +120 pl. ISBN 0 85115 311 9 (562 Whi)
WEB SITES
ECHINIOIDS. www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/echonoid-directory
TRILOBITES. www.trilobite.info
AMMONITES. www.ammonites.fr