GEOL 5400 - Principles of Paleontology

• Be able to identify the key morphological features and classify the key fossil taxa including their taxonomic placement and geologic stratigraphic ranges.
• Be familiar with the basics of phylogenetic systematics.
• Collect a series of fossils in the field, prepare and identify the specimens, and write a scientific report on their fossil collection.
• Develop an understanding of Earth’s biotic history through geologic time.
• Graduate students will be able to elucidate paleontological theory in detail including the relative support for core concepts of the Neo-Darwinian synthesis in the fossil record.
• Graduate students will prepare a publication quality report following peer-reviewed journal format based on fossils collected on the course field trip.
• Understand and be able to clearly articulate evolution by means of natural selection and punctuated equilibrium.
• Understand how paleontologists develop functional hypotheses based on fossilized material.
• Understand the major paleontological tools and techniques used to interpret Earth’s biotic history and evolution..
• Understand the processes and primary modes of fossilization.