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2022/2023

Palaeontology I

Code: 101049 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2500254 Geology OB 2 1

Contact

Name:
Enric Vicens Batet
Email:
enric.vicens@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
Judit Marigo Cortes
Rafel Matamales Andreu
Marc Furio Bruno
Joan Madurell Malapeira
Angel Hernandez Lujan

Prerequisites

This subject requires prior knowledge of:

- Geology

- Biology: fundaments, taxonomy, microevolution, ecology, biogeography, organisational levels of the living organisms and characteristics of the different groups (knowledge obtained through the subject Life on Earth)

Objectives and Contextualisation

Objectives: to know and understand the fossil record in order to use it properly for the resolution of geological problems, whilst also taking into account its contribution to fundamental aspects of biology.

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.

General Palaeontology and certain groups of the fossil record are taught in Palaeontology I. Specifically, those that (1) are most useful for illustrating the concepts of general palaeontology and/or (2) are less complex and/or (3) are considered essential for the student to know but cannot be studied in fuller detail.

The fossil record of the groups that (1) are considered most complex and/or, (2) require a fuller treatment and/or, (3) have important geological applications will be taught in Palaeontology II.

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.
  • Display understanding of the size of the space and time dimensions of Earth processes, on different scales.
  • Obtain information from texts written in other languages.
  • Process, interpret and present field 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.
  • Suitably transmit information, verbally, graphically and in writing, using modern information and communication technologies.
  • Use concepts from biology when solving problems in geology.
  • Work independently.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply concepts from biology to understanding of the fossil record.
  2. Apply the principle of overlap and the evolution of species.
  3. Discern and describe laboratory techniques for studying the different types of fossils and quantify the associated information.
  4. 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.
  5. Identify and distinguish between the processes that give rise to the fossil record.
  6. Obtain information from texts written in other languages.
  7. Relate concepts and theories in palaeontology.
  8. Suitably transmit information, verbally, graphically and in writing, using modern information and communication technologies.
  9. Work independently.

Content

GENERAL PALAEONTOLOGY

- Palaeontology

- Taphonomy

- Morphology

- Palaeoecology

- Ichnology

- Macroevolution
 

FOSSIL RECORD

- Porifera and Cnidaria

- Molluscs

- Echinoderms

- Vertebrates

 

The final contents of the subject and the order to be taught could be modified according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities.

Any changes / adaptations of these contents, as well as of the teaching methodology used, will be announced with a notice on the Campus Virtual.

Methodology

As a result of the sanitary emergency, a mixed teaching model will be followed during the first semester of this course. This will combine class-based and e-learning activities, together with student's independent learning.

Lectures: Students will acquire the necessary scientific-technical knowledge for the course in the lectures. The timing of the class-based theory classes will be posted on the Campus Virtual

Laboratory classes: Attendance is mandatory; if the sanitary conditions allow them, 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 in section.

Seminar: analysis of a scientific paper related to one or more topics included in the content list of the subject. A presentation of the results will be made in front of the teacher and classmates (dates to be announced)

Independent activities: students must complement the above activities with personal work and study.

About 15 minutes will be allocated from one of the sessions to respond to the assessment surveys of teaching and the assessment of the subject.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Laboratory work 23 0.92 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7
Lectures 26 1.04 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7
Seminar 3.5 0.14 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Type: Supervised      
Exercises 15 0.6 1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 7, 8
Type: Autonomous      
Personal study and work 75 3 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7

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 seminar) and will be subject to the same assessment criteria.

Assessment of this subject is based on the following elements:

- Exams will include theory and practical work, representing (in total) 70% of the final grade. At least, a four (4) is required in each exam to average with the other course grades. Students with a grade lower than 4 in any of the exams, must take re-assessment of these exams. The marks used to calculate the final grade will be those obtained in re-assessment.

- Laboratory-session exercises: 15%. Attending laboratory classes 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. There is no re-assessment for the practical exercises.

- Evaluation of participation and presentation of papers in the seminar: 15%

A minimum overall grade of 5 is required to pass the subject.

Schedule of the assessment activities

The dates of the assessment activities and the submission of exercises will be published in the Campus Virtual (CV). They may be subject to changes in programming due to unforeseen eventualities. Any modification will be announced through this platform.

Assessment activities will not be permitted for any student at different dates or times to that the ones already established, unless for justified causes duly advised before the activity, and with the lecturer's previous consent. In all other cases, if an activity has not been carried out, this cannot be re-assessed.

Irregularities committed by the student, copy and plagiarism

According to the UAB academic regulations, assessment activities will be qualified with a zero (0) whenever a student commits academic irregularities that may alter such assessment.

Irregularities contemplated in this procedure include, among others:

  • the total or partial copying of a test, practical exercise, report, or any other evaluation activity;
  • allowing others to copy;
  • presenting group work that has not been done entirely by the members of the group;
  • presenting any materials prepared by a third party as one's work, even if these materials are translations or adaptations, including work that is not original or exclusively that of the student;
  • having communication devices (such as mobile phones, smartwatches, etc.) accessible during theoretical-practical assessment tests (individual exams).

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exams 70% 7.5 0.3 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Exercises in laboratory sessions 15% 0 0 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Seminar 15% 0 0 1, 2, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8

Bibliography

Agustí, J. & Antón, M. 1997. Memoria de la Tierra. Vertebrados fósiles de la Península Ibérica. Ediciones del Serbal, Barcelona. 157 p. ISBN 84 7628 195 1 (566 Agu)

Allison, P.A., Briggs, D.E.G. (eds) 1991. Taphonomy. Releasing the Data Locked in the Fossil Record. Plenum Press. New York. 560 p. ISBN 0 306 43876 3 (56 Tap)

*Armstrong, H.A., Brasier, M.D. 2005. Microfossils (second edition). Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. 296 p. ISBN 0 632 05279 1 (560 Bra)

Astibia, H. (ed.) 1992. Paleontología de Vertebrados: faunas y filogenia, aplicación y sociedad. Servicio Editorial de la Universidad del País Vasco, Leioa. 377 p. ISBN 84 7585 373 0 (566 Pal)

Babin, C. 1971. Éléments de Paléontologie. Librairie Armand Colin. Paris. 408 p. (56 Bab)

Babin, C. 1980. Elements of Palaeontology. John Wiley & Sons. Chichester. 446 p. ISBN 0 471 27577 8 (56 Bab)

*Benton, M.J. 1995. Paleontología y Evolución de los Vertebrados. Perfils, Lleida. 369 p. ISBN 84 87695 16 7 (566 Ben)

*Benton, M.J. 2000. Vertebrate Palaeontology. Sec. ed. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 452 p. ISBN 0 632 05614 2 (566 Ben)

*Benton, M.J. 2005. Vertebrate Palaeontology. Third ed. Blackwell Science, Oxford. 455 p. ISBN 978 632 05637 8 (566 Ben)

Benton, M.J., Harper, D.A.T. 2009. Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record. Wiley-Blackwell. Chichester, UK. 592 p. ISBN 978 1 4051 4157 4 ()

*Black, R.M. 1970. Elementos de Paleontología. Fondo de Cultura Económica. Madrid. 339 p. ISBN 84 375 0056 7 (56 Bla)

*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)

*Brasier, M.D. 1980. Microfossils. George Allen & Unwin, London. 193 p. ISBN 0 04 562001 6 (560 Bra)

*Brenchley, P.J., Harper, D.A.T. 1998. Palaeoecology, ecosystems, environments and evolution. Chapman & Hall. London. 402 p.

*Briggs, D.E.G., Crowter, P.R. (eds) 1990. Palaeobiology. A synthesis. Blackwell. Oxford. 583 p. ISBN 0 632 03311 8 (56 Pal) accés lliure per Internet

*Briggs, D.E.G., Crowter, P.R. (eds) 2001. Palaeobiology II. Blackwell Science. Oxford. 583 p. ISBN 0 632 05149 3 (56 Pal)

Carroll, R. L. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W.H. Freeman and Co, New York. 698 p. ISBN 0 716 71822 7 (566 Car)

Chaline, J. 1987. Paléontologie des Vertébrés. Dunod, Paris. 177 p. ISBN 2 04 012335 0 (566 Cha)

*Clarkson, E.N.K. 1979. Invertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution. George Allen & Unwin, London. 323 p. ISBN 0 04 560008 2 (562 Cla)

*Clarkson, E.N.K. 1986. Paleontología de Invertebradosysu evolución. Paraninfo. Madrid. 357 p. ISBN 84 283 1454 3 (562 Cla)

*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 0632 04444 6 (56 Cow)

*Doménech, R., Martinell, J., (Martín-Closas, C.) 1993. Introducció als fòssils. Promociones y Publicaciones Universitarias. Barcelona. 298 p. ISBN 84 477 0283 9 (56 Dom)

*Doménech, R., Martinell, J., (Martín-Closas, C.) 1996. Introducción a los fósiles. Masson. Barcelona. 288 p. ISBN 84 458 0404 9 (56 Dom)

Donovan, S.K. (ed.) 1989. Mass Extinctions. Processes and Evidence. Belhaven Press. London. 265 p. ISBN 1 85293 059 4 (56.017.4 Mas)

*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 0613 7 (56Foo)

Fortey, R. 2006. ¡Trilobites! Laetoli, Pamplona. 308 p. ISBN 84 934862 3 X ()

*Gallemí, J. (Coordinador). 1988. El registre fòssil. Història Natural dels Països Catalans. T 15. Ed. Enciclopèdia Catalana. 438 p. ISBN 84 7739 022 3 ()

Halstead, L.B. 1978. The evolution of Mammals. Meter Lowe. Eurobook Limited. ISBN 0 85654 030 7 (599 Hal)

Hammer, O., Harper, D.A.T. 2006. Paleontological data analysis. Blackwell Publishing. 351 p. ISBN 1405115440 (56 Ham)

Jablonski, D., Erwin, H., Lipps, J.H. (eds) 1996. Evolutionary Paleobiology. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago. 483 p. ISBN 0 226 38913 8 (56 Evo)

Lecointre, G., Le Guyader, H. 2001. Classification phylogénetique du vivant. Belin. 543 p. ISBN 2 7011 2137 X (575 Lec)

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 in rocks and thin sections. E.J. Brill, Leiden. (562 Maj)

Martill, D.M., Hudson J.D. 1991. Fossils of the Oxford Clay. The Palaeontological Association. London. 286 p. ISBN 0 901702 46 3 (564 Fos)

*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. 1986, 1990, 1995. Paleontología. Tomo 2 Vertebrados: Peces, Anfibios, Reptiles y Aves. Tomo 3 vol. 1 Mamíferos 1ª parte. Tomo 3 vol. 2 Mamíferos 2ª parte. Paraninfo, Madrid. 177 p. 383 p. 451 p.

*Meléndez, B. 1998. Tratado de Paleontología, I. CSIC. Madrid. ISBN 84 00 07790 3 (56 Mel)

*Molina, E. (editor) 2002. Micropaleontología. Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza, Zaragoza. 634 p. ISBN 84 7733 619 9 (560 Mol)

*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, molts 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)

Owen, E., Smith, A.B. 1987. Fossils of the Chalk. The Palaeontological Association. London. 306 p. ISBN 0 901702 36 6 (86(4) Fos)

Palmer, D., Rickards, B. 1991. Graptolites. Boydell Press. Woodbridge. 166 p + 138 pl. ISBN 0 85115 262 7 (562 Gra)

Piveteau, J., Lehman, J.P. & Dechaseaux, C. 1978. Précis de Paléontologie des Vertébrés. Masson, Paris. 677 p. ISBN 2 225 480923 3 (566Piv)

*Raffi, S., Serpagli, E. 1993. Introduzione alla Paleontología. Scienze della Terra UTET. Unione Tipografico-Editrice Torinese. 654 p. ISBN 88 02 04672 7 (56 Raf)

Raup, D.M., Stanley, S.M. 1978. Principios de Paleontología. Ariel. Barcelona. 456 p. ISBN 84 344 0145 2 (56 Rau)

Roger, J. 1974. Paléontologie génerale. Collection Sciences de la Terre. Masson et Cie. Paris. 419 p. ISBN 2 225 40458 5 (56 Rog)

Savage, R.J.G. & Long, M.R. 1986. Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide. British Museum Natural History, London. 259 p. ISBN 0 565 00942 7 (599 Sav)

Simpson, G.G. 1985. Fósiles e historia de la vida. Biblioteca Scientific American. Labor. Barcelona. 240 p. ISBN 84 7593 006 9 (56 Sim)

Skelton, P.W. (ed.) 1993. Evolution: a biological and palaeontological approach. Addison-Wesley, Wokingham. 1064 p. ISBN 0201544237 (575 Evo)

Skelton, P.W., Spicer, B., Rees, A. 1997. Evolving life and the Earth. The Open University. Milton Keynes. 199 p. ISBN 0 7492 8185 5 (56 Ske)

Smith, A.B. 1984. Echinoid Palaeobiology. GeorgeAllen & Unwin. London. 190 p. ISBN 0 04 563001 1 (560 Smi)

Smith, A.B. 1994. Systematics and the fossil record. Documenting evolutionary patterns. Blackwell Science. Oxford. 223 p. ISBN 0 632 03642 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)

Sutton, M.D., Rahman, I.A., Garwood, R.J. 2014. Techniques for virtual Palaeontology. J. Wiley & Sons. Ltd. ISBN 9781118591130

Whittington, H.B. 1992. Trilobites. Boydell Press. Woodbridge. 145 p + 120 pl. ISBN 0 85115 311 9 (562 Whi)

Ziegler, B. 1983. Introduction to Palaeobiology. General Palaeontology. Ellis Horwood. Chichester. 225 p. ISBN 0 85312 531 7 (56 Zie)

* basic bibliography 

 Other references for specific groups will be announced in theory or practical classes.

 

WEBSITES

ECHINIDS. www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/echinoid-directory

ICS. International Commission on Stratigraphy. www.stratigraphy.org

PALEOMAP PROJECT. Christoffer R. Scotese. www.scotese.com

RON BLAKE MAPS. Global Paleogeography. https://deeptimemaps.com/

Software

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