GEOLOGY 337 — PALEONTOLOGY 2010 Course Summary ...

GEOLOGY 337 - PALEONTOLOGY2010 SCHEDULELECTURELAB1 Sept. 13 Introduction2 Sept. 15 Taphonomy3 Sept. 17 Taphonomy I - Taphonomy4 Sept. 20 Trace Fossils5 Sept. 22 Paleoecology6 Sept. 24 Paleoecology II - Trace Fossils7 Sept. 27 Phylum Mollusca/Bivalves8 Sept. 29 Bivalves ecology9 Oct. 1 Gastropods III - BivalvesOctober 3 – Kingston Day Trip (with GEOL 368)10 Oct. 4 Cephalopods11 Oct. 6 Cephalopods12 Oct. 8 Cephalopod function IV - Cephalopods/GastropodsClasses Cancelled (Thanksgiving + Quebec Field Trip, Oct. 12-16)13 Oct. 18 Microfossils14 Oct. 20 Microfossils15 Oct. 22 MID-TERM EXAM (lectures 1-12) V - Microfossil Ecology16 Oct. 25 Phylum Porifera (Sponges)17 Oct. 27 Phylum Cnidaria/Corals18 Oct. 29 Corals VI - Corals and Sponges19 Nov. 1 Lophophorates/Bryozoa20 Nov. 3 Brachiopod morphology21 Nov. 5 Brachiopod ecology VII - Brachiopods/Bryozoa22 Nov. 8 Graptolites23 Nov. 10 Phylum Arthropoda/Trilobites24 Nov. 12 Trilobite ecology and ethology VIII - Trilobites/Graptolites25 Nov. 15 Other arthropods + Echinoderms26 Nov. 17 Echinoderms27 Nov. 19 Ecospace IX - Kingston Fossils28 Nov. 22 Early Animals 129 Nov. 24 Early Animals 230 Nov. 26 Early Animals 3 X - Early Animal Life31 Nov. 29 Microevolution32 Dec. 1 Macroevolution33 Dec. 3 Summary XI - Lab Exam

Part II - INVERTEBRATE FOSSILS (7 weeks)This section will focus on invertebrate groups with an extensive fossil record (e.g. protists, corals,brachiopods, molluscs, trilobites, etc.). For each fossil group, we will discuss:-the biology of living representatives (to put the fossils in context)-the morphology of the hard parts, focusing on their function-taxonomy and higher level classification-paleoecology (life habits and environments)-geological history and evolutionary trends-geological significance-an example where the fossil group was used to solve a problem in geology orpaleobiology, or where it illustrates a paleontological principle particularly wellLabs will directly complement the lectures. For example, when we discuss trilobites in lectureswe will also study them in the lab and will identify the trilobites collected on the field trip.Part III - EVOLUTIONARY EVENTS AND TRENDS (2 weeks)In the final part of the course, we will re-examine the fossil record to investigate large-scaleevolutionary trends (e.g. the origin and early evolution of animals, radiations, mass extinctions,faunal replacements, punctuated vs gradualistic microevolution, etc.).Lab X will examine spectacularly preserved Ediacaran and Early Cambrian fossils that help totell the story of the origin and early diversification of animal life.KINGSTON AREA DAY TRIP (Saturday, October 2nd, 08:00-18:00)This compulsory trip will be run jointly with GEOL 368 (Carbonate Sedimentology) and willexamine Middle Ordovician (approximately 460 million years old) fossil-bearing sections in theKingston area. At each locality, we will make observations and collections that will be studiedthroughout the year as we work through the major fossil groups in the labs. The final question ofeach lab exercise will involve identification of the fossils collected on the Kingston area day-tripand gradual compilation of a fossil list for the Kingston area. Lab IX and the fossil ecospaceanalysis will use this completed list to investigate the paleoecology and biostratigraphy of theOrdovician of the Kingston area.Transportation is free for those people who have paid the Geology Field Transportation Levy and$10 for those who have not. You will need to wear suitable field gear (including stout footwear,clothes suitable for the weather conditions, and a waterproof jacket). Bring a lunch.OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THIS COURSE1. Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. In particular,if you have a disability or health consideration that may require accommodations, pleasecontact me and Queen’s Disability Services as soon aspossible.2. You are encouraged to work in small groups in the labs, but each student must turn anindividual and unique assignment. See for Queen’s University guidelines and descriptions of academic integrity.