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Academic Year 2004/2005

Principles of Geobiology
E&ES 227 SP

This course may be repeated for credit.

Life on Earth has changed over the hundreds of millions of years of geological time. We will look into current concepts in evolutionary theory as well as in development of evolutionary theory over time, recent methods of determining phylogenies ('family trees') of organisms (cladistic theory) and their consequences for understanding the relations between different organisms. We will spend most time looking at the diversity of building plans of living and extinct animals of the different Phyla, with emphasis on invertebrate animals, and at linkages between morphology and function in ecosystems. We will aim at understanding the long-term evolutionary patterns of life on Earth, its diversity, massive extinction and recovery, and the evolution over time of different ecological systems. The fossils themselves will by studied in laboratory class E&ES 229, co-registration in which is required.

MAJOR READINGS

Textbook: D. R. Prothero, BRINGING FOSSILS TO LIFE (WCB McGraw Hill; 1998). There will be additional readings from the primary literature, a list of which will be supplied at the beginning of the semester.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

There will be a midterm and a comprehensive final exam, and a term paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Co-registration in E&ES229.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM E&ES    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: (E&ES101 AND E&ES199) Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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