GEOL 300 - Paleobiology

This course surveys the long history of life, as recorded by the fossil record. Students are introduced to the nature and quality of the fossil record and the morphology and paleoecology of the major fossil groups (invertebrates and vertebrates) through discussions, labs, and readings. Students also learn the methods used to study the paleobiology and evolution of extinct organisms. A field trip to a world-renowned invertebrate collecting locality in Iowa provides the sample for an in depth project aligned with student interests (students design their own projects). Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour lab per week. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 165 or permission of the instructor. Offered fall semester. (4 Credits)