Description
This course covers the principles of evolution, speciation patterns, the definition of species using fossil material, taphonomic processes and ecological bias that may distort the fossil record, as well as interpretation of palaeoenvironments and the collection and statistical application of fossil data.
This course will focus on the theoretical and practical analysis and application of macro and microfossils in determining past environments and evolutionary patterns. The course will run as a series of modules each containing classroom seminar and laboratory or field components. The first two modules, in term one, will run as 4 full field and laboratory days and will involve the collection, processing and analysis of selected microbiota. Students will also design a research project using fossils, and other data, to answer a specific research question. The second two modules, in term 2, will run as weekly two hour seminar sessions. In the seminar based classes students will be given articles to read and present as a short (10-15) topic review to the rest of the class. This will be followed by a whole class discussion of the week’s topic, as a means of developing critical assessment. Topics covered will include the concepts of taphonomy and time-averaging, and their influence on palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, and the evolution and biogeography of the NZ biota. Topics covered in these seminar modules can be tailored to tailored to suit the interests of the class
Timetable
The class meets for 2-4 hours each week after the Easter break. In the seminar based classes students will be given articles to read and present as a short (10-15) topic review to the rest of the class. This will be followed by a whole class discussion of the week’s topic, as a means of developing critical assessment. Computer based classes will run – students will need to bring laptops to class. Please let me know if you do not have access to a laptop.
Course Coordinator / Lecturer
Catherine Reid
Assessment
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Data collection and analysis
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25%
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Data collection and analysis - (in class assignment)
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Lower Waipara field trip
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10%
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Lower Waipara field trip
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Microfossil research project design (due in end of term 2)
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40%
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Microfossil research project design
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Seminar - Term 2
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25%
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Seminar and class participation (in class) Term 2
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There is no examination for this course.
Textbooks
Recommended Reading
Hammer, yvind , Harper, D. A. T;
Paleontological data analysis;
Blackwell Pub, 2006.
Murray, John William;
Ecology and applications of benthic foraminifera;
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Notes
Provisional schedule for 2012
MODULE 1 Micropalaeontology – diatoms and chironomids - field and laboratory based (2 x 8hr days)
MODULE 2 Micropalaeontology – foraminifera and data analysis - field and laboratory based (2 x 8hr days)
MODULE 3 Macropalaeontology – morphology, taphonomy and time averaging – reconstructing species and environments seminar and lab based (3 x 2 hr sessions)
MODULE 4 New Zealand biogeography and faunal development -seminar based (2 x 2 hour sessions)
Field trips
A one day field trip will collect modern microfossil samples (morning) and process them in the lab (afternoon). A second one day trip to the Lower Waipara Gorge (May - date tbc) will look at the practicalities of field fossil data collection, and review palaeoenvironment interpretation.
For further information see
Geological Sciences.
All GEOL481 Occurrences
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GEOL481-12S1 (C)
Semester One 2012
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