GEO 103 - Introduction to Paleontology

5 Credits

Survey the field of paleontology including the geologic history of life on Earth, evolution and extinction of ancient life-forms, and the use of fossils to interpret and reconstruct past environments. This class is for anyone interested in fossils, including plants, invertebrate animals, and vertebrates such as dinosaurs and mammals.

Pre-requisite(s) MATH 081 or higher with min. 2.0
Placement Eligibility Math 91 or higher
FeesGeology Fee Science Lab Support Fee

Quarters Typically Offered
Winter Day
Designed to Serve This is an introductory science course designed for the general student.
Active Date 20240322T08:52:33

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 24
Contact Hours: Lecture 44 Lab 22
Total Contact Hours 66
Degree Distributions:
AA

Science
Science Lab

Course Outline

The fossil record of life on Earth geologic time scale, biostratigraphy, taphonomy, quality of the record, extinction, evolution
Systematics classification and description of fossils
Microfossils microscopy, paleoecology, and identification of the major groups
Invertebrate macrofossils paleoecology and identification of the major groups
Macrofossils of vertebrates and their relatives paleoecology and identification of the major groups
Trace fossils defining types, evidence for behavior of extinct organisms
Functional morphology inferring function based on morphology of fossils
Paleoenvironmental reconstructions using fossil assemblages and enclosing sedimentary rocks to infer paleoenvironment

Student Learning Outcomes
Student will complete activities and lab reports by applying the scientific method and using appropriate detail and terminology to describe biologic and geologic processes.

Student will describe taxonomic characters and preservation states of commonly occurring fossils using appropriate terminology.

Student will discuss the theoretical basis and limitations of geologic time and the fossil record.

Student will identify commonly-occurring fossils and interpret their geologic history through observation of preservation states and incorporation of scientific theories on fossilization processes.

Student will describe the scientific use of fossils and characteristics of sedimentary rocks to interpret and reconstruct past environments including recognition of issues inherent to incomplete data.

Student will articulate the relevance of the fossil record to everyday life using appropriate detail and terminology to describe biologic and geologic processes.

Student will utilize quantitative skills to read complex graphics, use the metric system, create simple x-y plots of data, and to use quantitative information to describe, interpret, and effectively synthesize scientific investigations.

Student will articulate testable hypotheses, collect relevant data, and determine if a hypothesis is falsified.