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Palynology and Quaternary Phytogeography
E&ES370 SP

This course focuses on the fundamentals and applications of pollen-spore morphology, pollen analysis and related statistical techniques. We investigate former vegetation assemblages and environments throughout the globe by relating the fossil pollen record to ecological principles and paleoclimate. During the second half of the semester, students will discover their own fossil pollen record through palynological analyses of lake sediment cores collected during a required weekend field trip. Schedul ed class time during this portion of the course will be spent in the laboratory identifying and counting pollen and analyzing the results from these cores.

MAJOR READINGS

Required text: Faegri, K. and Iverson, J. 1989. TEXTBOOK OF POLLEN ANAYLYSIS; and additional readings from the primary literature.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Course grades will be based on a midterm (35%), class participation, short essays, pollen identification quizzes (20%), and a final project (palynological reconstruction)(35%).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

One required weekend field trip. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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