2009 Course Handbook
BIOL378: Invertebrate Palaeontology
This unit investigates the evolution, classification, and techniques of preparation of stratigraphically important invertebrate groups, particularly brachiopods, cnidarians, echinoderms, molluscs and trilobites; particular attention is given to functional morphology and evolutionary phylogeny. The unit integrates field work, practical work, lecture material, and the reading of pivotal palaeontological papers so that students gain an in-depth appreciation of the types of problems that palaeontologists are currently coming to grips with. This unit is largely a 'hands on' prac-based unit where students learn how to identify invertebrate fossils using a range of traditional and modern taxonomic methods. The same skills learned in this unit are equally applicable to biological materials. The unit has a compulsory weekend field excursion where students collect fossil material that forms the basis of ongoing prac work throughout the semester.
| Credit Points: | 4 |
| Contact Hours: | 5 |
| When Offered: |
D1 - Day; Offered in the first half-year
X1 - External study; Offered in the first half-year (On Campus session: 7-8 March; 28-29 March (F); 16-18 May) |
| Staff Contact: | Dr Glenn Brock |
| Prerequisites: | GEOS235 or BIOL208 |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCWs: | GEOS312 |
| Unit Designations: | Science |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: |
Department of Biological Sciences |
Timetable Information
For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.