Look at this site to learn more about this history of life from fossils:
Digital Atlas of Ancient Life
Paleontological Research Institution
https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/
SELECTED TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED DURING THE SEMESTER
All pptx. are posted to Canvas
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
Week 1 | Read textbook chapter 1: Paleontology as a science |
| August 22 | Introduction to invertebrate paleontology |
| August 24 | Introduction to macroinvertebrate phyla - specimens |
Week 2 | Read textbook chapter 4: Paleoecology. Lec 3 and 4: Marine Ecol.pptx |
| August 29 | Marine ecology and paleoecology |
| August 31 | Morphology, ultrastructure and taphonomy of fossil shells - specimens |
Week 3 | Read textbook chapter 5: Taphonomy and the quality of the fossil record |
| September 5 | Phyla, ecology, and shell ultrastructure exercise |
| September 7 | We will begin the semester fossil project |
Week 4 | Read textbook chapter 6: Fossil form and function. Lec 5 and 6 Taphonomy and the fossil record.pptx |
| September 12 | Taphonomy and special preservation windows |
| September 14 | Taphonomy and special preservation windows (continued) |
Week 5 | Read textbook chapter 7: Macroevolution and the tree of life |
| September 19 | Sponges and corals |
| September 21 | Work on your semester fossil project in the classroom today |
Week 6 | Lec 7: Ontogeny.pptx. Lec 8: Populations and statistical analyses |
| September 26 | The life cycle of individuals |
| September 28 | Fossil and modern populations; statistical analyses |
Week 7 | Lec 9 Species.pptx. Lec 10 Dating the rock record using fossils.pptx. Textbook chapter 2: Stratigraphy. Look at textbook figures on cephalopods p. 390-405 |
| October 3 | The species concept |
| October 5 | Biostratigraphy – relative time using fossils – cephalopods as an example |
| October 7 | Saturday, October 7, Field Trip to Falls of the Ohio State Park |
Week 8 | Read textbook chapter 9: The origin of life
|
| October 10 | The origins of life |
| October 12 | Precambrian explosion of life |
Week 9 | I will be at the GSA Annual Meeting this week |
| October 17 | Work on your semester fossil project in the classroom today |
| October 19 | Work on your semester fossil project in the classroom today |
Week 10 | Brachiopods and bryozoans |
| October 24 | |
| October 26 | |
Week 11 | Molluscs |
| October 31 | |
| November 2 | |
Week 12 | Arthropods |
| November 7 | |
| November 9 | |
Week 13 | Echinoderms and hemichordates |
| November 14 | |
| November 16 | Work on your semester fossil project in the classroom today. Lecture presentation at Colby College |
Week 14 | |
| November 21 | Thanksgiving Break |
| November 23 | Thanksgiving Break |
Week 15 | Graduate student presentation |
| November 30 | Exam Part 1: Student learning outcomes a, b, c, d |
Week 16 | Review and complete projects |
| December 5 | Graduate student presentation |
| December 7 | Exam Part 2: Student learning outcome 'e.' |
