BIOL 450

GEOL 112 Principles of Historical Geology and Paleontology

Spring, 2005

Meeting time: 9:00 - 11:50 Tuesday and Thursday, Scales, Rm. 220

This class will introduce you to the nature and content of the Fossil Record of life on the earth. Because of the philosophical and historical nature of the data, and the controversial content of the subject matter, some aspects of this course may seem to challenge your faith. It is hoped that a clear understanding of the data and the nature of the interpretations imposed upon the data will not only leave you a better informed individual, but will also prepare you for the challenges to your faith that an informed individual will inevitably face

Class will consist of a lecture on the current subject. This will follow consideration of the material in Lab. The required textbook for the course is Stanley's Earth System History. Hyperlinks for Lecture lead to pages with more information on the lecture in question. Hyperlinks under Reading lead to exam questions over the reading materials. Similarly, hyperlinks on Lab Exercises lead to laboratory skills development sites. Hyperlinks under Self Quiz lead to pages with practical self tests over the subjects of those labs. Successful completion of these tests will validate the state of your preparation for the exams.

Lecture Reading Labs Self Quiz Review

Jan 15 - Introduction: Issues Chap 1 Introduction Chap 1 Chap 1

Jan 15 - Minerals Chap 2 Minerals Chap 2 Chap 2

Jan 17 - Diversity of Life Chap. 3 Diversity Chap 3 Chap 3

Jan 17 - Environments and Life Chap 4 Environments Chap 4 Chap 4

Jan 22 - Sedimentary environ Chap 5 Sediments Chap 5 Chap 5

Jan 22 - Correlation and dating Chap 6 Correlation Chap 6 Chap 6

Jan 24 - Evolution and Fossils Chap 7 Fossils Chap 7 Chap 7

Jan 24 - Plate Tectonics Chap 8 Tectonics Chap 8 Chap 8

Jan 29 - Continental Tectonics Chap 9 Tectonics Chap 9 Chap 9

Jan 29 - Review

Jan 31 - Exam I

Lecture Reading Labs Self Quiz Review

Mar 4 - Archaean Chap 10 Weathering Chap 10 Chap 10

Mar 4 - Proterozoic Chap 11 Archaean Chap 11 Chap 11

Mar 6 - Origin of Life Chap 12 Proterozoic Chap 12 Chap 12

Mar 6 - Cambrian Explosion Chap 13 Early Paleoz Chap 13 Chap 13

Mar 6 - Cambrian and Ordovician

Mar 11 - SPRING BREAK

Mar 13 - SPRING BREAK

Mar 18 - Silurian Chap 14 Mid Paleozoic Chap 14 Chap14

Mar 20 - Devonian

Mar 25 - Exam II

Mar 27 - Mississippian Chap 15 Late Paleozoic Chap 15 Chap 15

Apr 1 - Penensylvanian

Apr 3 - Permian

Apr 8 - Triassic Chap 16 Early Mesozoic Chap 16 Chap 16

Apr 10 - Jurassic

Apr 15 - Cretaceous Animals Chap 17 Cretaceous Chap 17 Chap 17

Apr 17 - Cretaceous Plants

Apr 22 - Paleogene Chap 18 Paleogene Chap 18 Chap 18

Apr 24 - Neogene Chap 19 Neogene Chap 19 Chap 19

Apr 24 - Holocene Chap 20 Holocene Chap 20 Chap 20

General Requirements and Grading System

a) Attendance: Attendance is required. A positive and upbeat attitude toward the subject will help make the class a rewarding experience.

b) Quizzes: Daily quizzes will be given over the assigned reading material. - 20%

c) Practicals. Three practical exams will be given. These will cover the lab and lecture work. The third of these will be a component of the comprehensive final - 40%

d) Final Exam. The final exam will be comprehensive and will cover the entire scope of the course, and will include the third sectional exam. The comprehensive portion will be more general than the sectional exams, and will be of the same nature. - 40%

Grade scale

90 - 99 A

80 - 89 B

70 - 79 C

60 - 69 D

59 or below F