Paleontology stands as a fundamental interdisciplinary science that intricately bridges biology and geology, offering a profound and dynamic window into the history of life on Earth. Far more than just the study of "old bones," it is a rigorous investigative field that deciphers the narrative of biological evolution, environmental change, and planetary history encoded within the fossil record.
This course is designed to introduce the basic principles of paleontology - the study of fossil organisms in the geological record. Topics to be covered include: Taphonomy and the processes of fossilization; Principles of evolution as evidenced by the fossil record; Taxonomy and the recognition and naming of fossil species; Biostratigraphy as a means of dating a rock and/or learning about ancient environments; Geochemistry of fossils as a means to understand ancient habitats and behaviors. The course will include an overview of important fossil groups with hands-on experience and a field trip.
- Enseignant: Khaldia ZIOUIT