Syllabus Information

5.1. Methodological overview

The designed learning process for the subject sets on the following assumptions: The subject sets on a series of fundamental principles of marine fossil groups and fossilization processes. Hence, the main principles and contents will deal on marine fossil groups, fossilization processes and their use as indicators of environmental, palaeoclimatic and environmental reconstructions. It is also worth noting their use as age indicators. All these data are relevant as primary information and real competencies for future geologists.  

5.2. Learning tasks

The elaborated programme for the students to help them reach the proposed results includes the following parts:

-Participative Theoretical sessions: 40 hours of compulsory attendance; they totalize a whole of 4 ECTS.

-Laboratory Practices: A whole of 13 practical sessions. Visu and particular practical cases. 40 hours (compulsory attendance). 4 ECTS.

-Field excursions: 3 Fieldtrips to different areas ranging from Palaeozoic to Neogene. The fieldtrips, including the time for the preparation of the report totalize a whole of 30 hours (1,2 ECTS).   

-Study and required Knowledge for the written proof: 70 non-presential hours.(= Authonomous work of the students plus tutorials). 

-Evaluation Proof: A written proof about the spent theoretical and practical sessions. 4 presential hours. 

5.3. Syllabus

1. The programme of the Participative Theoretical sessions includes the following topics:

Basic Palaeontology

Introduction: Situation of Palaeontology in the frame of the Geological Sciences.

1: The fossilization process: Fundamentals of Taphonomy

2: Fundamentals of Systematics and classification of fossils.

3: Fundamentals of Biostratigraphy

4: Fundamentals of Palaeoecology and Palaeobiogeography 

Marine Palaeontology 

5: Pelagic marine environments and the dominant fossil groups

5.1: Introduction

5.2: Nectonic groups: Cephalopods and their relation with marine reptiles and fishes

5.3: Planktonic groups: Graptolites 

6: Flat-bottom marine environments and their dominant fossil groups.

6.1: Introduction. Benthic organisms and their relation with the substrate

6.2: Trilobites

6.3: Brachiopods

6.4: Bivalves

6.5: Gastropods

6.6: Echinoderms

7. Marine reef environments and their dominant groups

7.1: Introduction. Reef builder groups

7.2: Cnidara. Their symbiotic relation with algae

7.3: Poriphera  

7.4: Briozoans

2. Laboratory Practices: A whole of 13 practical sessions. Visu and particular practical cases. The topics of each 13 sessions are.

A: Basic Palaeontology

1: Fossilization processes (1)

2: Fossilization processes (2)

3: Palaeoecological processes and reconstructions (1)

4: Palaeoecological processes and reconstructions (2)

B: Systematics and Palaeontology

B.1: Pelagic groups

5: Graptolites

6: Nautiloids and Coleoids

7: Ammonoids

B.2: Flat-environment fossil groups:

8: Trilobites

9: Brachiopods

10: Bivalve Molluscs

11: Gastropods

12: Echinoderms

B.3: Reef-building dominant groups

13: Cnidaria (Corals and related groups)

3. Field excursions: 3 Fieldtrips to different areas ranging from Palaeozoic to Neogene. After each fieldtrip the students will prepare a report adjusted to the template of the template of the publication of Geological Society: Geotemas. The programmed fieldtrips are:

(1) Palaeozoic (Ordovician-Devonian): Herrera de los Navarros and Sta Cruz de Nogueras.

(2) Mesozoic: The Jurassic of La Almunia de Dª Godina; Ricla and Aguilón (S from Zaragoza).

(3) Caenozoic: Palaeocene-Eoceno-Oligocene of the Surroundings of La Peña (Huesca). 

5.5. Bibliography and recommended resources