Semester Hours:3Every Other Year
The importance of the fossil record to the geosciences and the study of the history of life on Earth, focusing on invertebrate fossils and microfossils. Paleontology as the foundation of the geologic time scale and chronostratigraphic correlation. How fossils are used to reconstruct paleoclimates and paleoenvironments. The analysis of fossils in the study of evolution, extinction, and paleoecology. Identification of major invertebrate fossil groups. Written research report and in-class oral presentation using visual media required of all students. Field trips support course topics. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.)