Instructor
Professor Claudia C. Johnson
Office: GY501
Phone: 812-855-0646 | Email
Associate Instructor
TBA
Textbook
Required lecture text: Principles of Paleontology, Third Edition by M. Foote and A.I. Miller. Printed materials will be distributed or available on Oncourse. Basic field equipment will be necessary for fieldwork.
Lecture
Section TBA 1:00-2:15P Tuesdays and Thursdays, Rm GY 522
Field Trip
Sunday, September 10, 8:30 am departure from the Geology building.
Office hours
Monday 2:30–3:30 pm and by appointment
GRADE DISTRIBUTION, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Course grade distribution
- Exercises 35%
- Midterm Exam 20%
- Final Exam 20%
- Field Trip Project 15%
- In-Class Discussions and Participation 10%
Final Grade Scale: A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F = 59% or lower. Grades of + and – will be assigned. Semester grades are not curved.
Student learning outcomes
Students who pass the course will be able to:
- summarize the life history of a fossil from death to discovery
- analyze the role of taphonomy in the evolutionary history of a taxonomic group
- classify fossils using quantitative measures of characters
- design a research project using fossils and the scientific method
Academic Integrity
As a student at IU, you are expected to adhere to the standards and policies detailed in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (Code). When you submit a paper with your name on it in this course, you are signifying that the work contained therein is all yours, unless otherwise cited or referenced. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged.
If you are unsure about the expectations for completing an assignment or taking a test or exam, be sure to seek clarification beforehand. All suspected violations of the Code will be handled according to University policies. Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the assignment, reduction in your final grade, a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities, and must include a report to the Dean of Students.