Invertebrate Paleontology
Todd Radenbaugh
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Todd Radenbaugh
University of Regina (Todd is now at University of Alaska, Fairbanks)
Course Type: Course Size:
Summary
This is a classic evolution-and-fossils kind of course. Students go through major invertebrate groups, examine and interpret fossils and assemblages. Rather than approach the whole world chronologically, the course covers each lineage one-at-a-time. The site is rich in photographs and informational links.
Course Context:
This is a 200-level geology class.
Course Goals:
This class will:
- Familiarize students with major invertebrate groups and their history
- Deal with the interpretation of fossils and assemblages
- Present an overview of evolution and related issues like biogeography
Course Content:
Topics covered in this course include:
- Evolution
- Fossils, preservation, and interpretation
- The origin of life
- The Burgess Shale
- Major invertebrate lineages
- Coordinated stasis
Teaching Materials:
This web site contains:
- A course syllabus (mostly schedule)
- Numerous photos of student activities and field sites
- A library of student projects (autecology of various taxa done on a field trip)
- An annotated links list
- Instructions for the research paper
Assessment:
Grading for this course is based on exams, a research paper, class/labwork and participation.
References and Notes:
The textbook (Levin, H., 1999, Ancient Invertebrates and Their Living Relatives, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-748955-2) is $70 from the publisher and includes a guide for identifying fossils as well as the relevant instructional material for a course like the one described above.
